Los Angeles Lakers: 2025 Offseason Priorities and Salary Cap Dynamics
I examine center options, extensions for Luka Doncic and Dorian Finney-Smith, and make the case why LeBron James should take a reduced salary even if doesn't lead to an immediate acquisition.
The Los Angeles Lakers’ acquisition of Luka Doncic was a no-brainer that left them severely vulnerable for the rest of the season. Their five-out lineup featuring large forwards and guards couldn’t compensate for their lack of interior size, and the Timberwolves disposed of them quickly. The Lakers are now tasked with rehauling their frontcourt in an effort to win a title and convince Doncic to extend.
The Lakers still haven’t fully recovered from their acquisition of Russell Westbrook almost four years ago. It depleted them of the two-way wings that helped propel them to the 2020 championship. The roster may not be as far away as their first-round loss to the Wolves indicates. They have few assets and avenues to meaningfully upgrade the frontcourt, but they’ll be able to accomplish it.
Anthony Irwin joined the podcast a couple of weeks ago to discuss the Lakers and their upcoming offseason. We listed the types of big men we could see the Lakers pursuing and the type of package they could put together. It’s a good companion piece for this preview, which will focus on salary cap dynamics. Particularly, why LeBron James should seriously consider reducing his salary and what it could unlock for the Lakers.