2026-27 Team Developments: Trades / Free Agents / News / Rumors / Ideas

Yeah. I'm not a cap expert either but its something like that.

 

His contract has no effect on our cap space except for his 20.9 million cap hoid. His contract will be the last to be signed.

 

Only his 20.9 million cap hold afffects our cap room this summer. He will sign his contract last after everything else is taken care of.

 

Lakers toast

 

Correct. However, that only works if you are making your moves for the future THIS OFFSEASON. So with that said the front office is on the clock. If the Max he could have gotten from another team is 178M there is no reason to give him 185. Also the contract increases to 51 per year with a player option. This contract does not protect the franchise in terms of value. If the Lakers are going to be executing trades or signing guys that can help you this summer then yes it is not a huge concern.

 

Everyone in the NBA/Lakers fanbase seems to believe it's an overpay but you'll get a VERY different reaction here with people claiming it's a fantastic deal. Yeah, totally fantastic deal to give a guy the max who was never going to leave if he got the max... such a great deal, lol.

I better not hear people complain about LeBron or blame others on the team. When your two stars make $90 million, they better be able to carry the games for the most part. Blaming poor Jake LaRavia when Reaves is about to make $40 million next season and puts on 16 point performances with average defense isn't going to be a great look.

 

Austin and Trey young singed the two worst contracts for far this offseason.

 

It’s just a clear overpay when it didn’t need to be. I think it’s clear we probably gave into his agent a bit. He didn’t even have any other offers yet and then you go and overpay. Sure teams could’ve cleared space and offered him a max but make them go do that then you offer the contract.

 

Yes, the reason is making him feel wanted and have no reason to meet with other teams.
Our FO painted themselves into this position by telling Luka to wait and see, specifically for THIS summer.
I would not have done this.
People saying “he had no other offers” have no idea what they are talking about. So, they know what’s going on in the Front Offices like Detroit, who could have offered him a five year deal for many more millions.
Absurd and ridiculous.

 

How does anyone know he wouldn’t be getting any other offers?

 

I don't think lakers will ever trade Austin. However if they ever need to trade him no one is taking that contract.

 

From who? It was the same the last time he was a free agent. There were rumored interest but no one offered a contract. Meaning no one was going to overpay knowing he wanted to be a Laker and lakers were going to pay to keep him. So is it an over pay? Yes his options were limited. Both him and young are like 10mil too much.

 

It’s not that he wouldn’t but make the other teams show you. Make them clear that space. People think that just dumping salary and loading off contracts is easy in today’s nba. Actually it’s the opposite it’s very very difficult. Let’s say Detroit make them clear that salary before you go and offer a gigantic contract.

 

Okay, so this is what I was trying to point to in the other conversation. About the difference of what we got and what You and Others feel he was worth.

So we are understanding each other enough. That's good.

And you're right that a pick would have to be traded, but in that regard, we have to also look at where we are WHEN that happens. A 2 year window, seems a little excessive. I get the reasoning why and the need to say it, but like....if they win a title within his and Luka's contract, then I agree that we won't be caring much about these contracts, but we'll see.......

Anyways, my point of not knowing what the future looks like is whether or not we are going to be sad about NOT having that pick when we need it. Not every year is a 1st Rounder needed to make a difference. Not having one for a few years in a row, is obviously bad, but like....some here and there......not that big of a deal.

 

Laker were the only team that could have offered a 5 year deal.

 

Basically, this and next season are win-now mode.

If not, they've got problems on their hand. Huge gamble on Reaves.

The days of him putting in 15 point off the bench performances are over. He's gotta be a consistent 25/5/5 player with good shooting splits or he'll rightfully get blasted by Lakers fans.

Let's see if he can do it.

 

Listen, if you say this is terrible.....congratulations. You can say it and go about your day. I don't think anyone here is saying this is a great deal here, because of the money, I think they are happy we kept him and this helps make Luka happy.

You guys look at the cap hit and others look at the overall product. The Cap is going to be SO DIFFERENT when we get to the point of needing to move on from Reaves and Luka, also MARK WALTER will be in control. The dude who helped supply the money to sign Othani and everyone else to HOW MUCH AGAIN? And the Dodgers have gone on to win how many titles after that?

There's always a way to course correct. Again, hate this all you want if you do....that's fine, but getting mad at people for liking the signing is ridiculous too. Everyone realizes that the other side is thought of as delusional based on how you feel about this, right?

So we are just saying "Your opinion sucks" in circles for no reason.

 

NBA has a salary cap, lmfao.

MLB doesn't.

Quite a huge difference in how you can spend money strategically, don't you think? Or are we just babbling nonsense again?

 

So here’s my thinking the contract is fine if you are going to go all in. As in like right now. Every single pick better be on the table.