The Los Angeles Lakers' offseason has been tumultuous, with the franchise striking out on almost all their key summer targets. The team, led by LeBron James, finds itself well past the second payroll apron set at $188.9 million, a significant limitation in their quest to add a third star to the roster. To achieve this, the Lakers would need to scrape below the first payroll apron of $178.1 million.
LeBron James, understanding the critical need for reinforcements, reportedly stated he would consider a significant pay cut of around $20 million if it meant securing that elusive third star.
Notable Trades and Signings
This summer has been a whirlwind around the NBA, with marquee players switching teams. Paul George's move to the Philadelphia 76ers and Klay Thompson joining the Dallas Mavericks have been among the most talked-about transactions. Thompson, who agreed to a three-year, $50 million contract with Dallas, was part of a trade that sent Tim Hardaway Jr. and Josh Green to Golden State.
In Philadelphia, the 76ers aimed to solidify their roster by securing extensions for Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey amounting to $204 million. The 76ers did not stop there; they also added veteran shooters Eric Gordon and Andre Drummond while re-signing Kelly Oubre.
The Clippers have not been left behind, bolstering their roster with key additions such as Derrick Jones Jr., Nic Batum, Kevin Porter, Kris Dunn, and Mo Bamba. Meanwhile, the Knicks took aggressive measures by trading five first-round picks and a swap to bring Mikal Bridges aboard, while also securing Tyler Kolek in the second round.
Shifting Dynamics in the West
In other significant moves, Isaiah Hartenstein inked an $87 million deal over three years to join Oklahoma City, which also saw Josh Giddey swapped to Chicago for Alex Caruso. The Golden State Warriors were active as well, securing De'Anthony Melton and Kyle Anderson, while rumors suggest they might add Buddy Hield to their ranks.
The Cleveland Cavaliers made a prominent move by extending Donovan Mitchell’s contract with a three-year, $150.3 million agreement. The New Orleans Pelicans acquired Dejounte Murray from Atlanta, parting with Larry Nance Jr., Dyson Daniels, and two future first-round picks in 2025 and 2027 to the Hawks.
Nets’ Bold Rebuild
The Brooklyn Nets have taken a bold step towards rebuilding, acquiring nine first-round picks in trades involving Kevin Durant. By regaining control of their own 2025 and 2026 picks, they have set themselves up with a treasure trove of draft assets.
Other notable contracts include Kentavious Caldwell-Pope's three-year, $66 million deal with Orlando, and Chris Paul joining the San Antonio Spurs for an $11 million one-year tenure. Additionally, the Spurs drafted Stephon Castle with the No. 4 pick and traded Rob Dillingham to Minnesota for long-term draft assets.
Max Extensions Galore
Across the league, several players secured lucrative extensions. Cade Cunningham locked in a max extension worth $226 million over five years with Detroit. Scottie Barnes received a potential $270 million max extension from the Raptors, who also secured Immanuel Quickley on a $175 million, five-year deal.
The Orlando Magic were not left out, extending Jonathan Isaac’s contract for $84 million over five years, in addition to signing Caldwell-Pope.
In a landscape where financial maneuvering is crucial to building a championship contender, these moves underline the delicate balance teams must strike between star power and salary cap constraints. The ongoing shuffling of elite players and draft picks is poised to significantly impact the competitive dynamics of the NBA in the coming seasons.