NBA Rumors: Lakers plan to have cap space dates back four years
By Bryan Rose
Back in 2010, the Los Angeles Lakers front office decided something – they wanted to have a relatively clean payroll come the conclusion of the 2014 season.
A four-year plan? Yep – that’s exactly what it was as general manager Mitch Kupchack told Basketball Insiders that the Lakers organization wanted to have available funds come the upcoming offseason.
"According to Kupchak, the Lakers’ plan to create cap space dates back to four years ago. They’re finally going to be under the cap enough to sign a max-level free agent this summer with guys like Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and Eric Bledsoe (restricted) hitting the market. That doesn’t mean they’re guaranteed to spend it, though."
Going into the 2014-15 season, the Lakers will only have $34 million dollars guaranteed on their books, all of that (other than Kobe Bryant‘s $25 million dollar salary) will be gone come the 2015-16 season.
The Lakers will have the additional salary of a first round draft pick (assuming they don’t trade it) but that still leaves them with plenty of salary cap room if they so inclined to use it.
Many have suggested the Lakers will only open the purse strings this offseason if they can bring in a superstar like James and will wait until next season when somebody like James or Kevin Love is more likely to opt-out.