The Los Angeles Lakers this offseason have made it clear with their moves that they have their eyes set on maximizing their salary cap room for next summer to make some major splashes in free agency.
General manager Rob Pelinka once again reiterated that plan during an interview on The Dan Patrick Show on Thursday morning.
“Magic and I did a trade that allows us to have a double max cap room a July from now. With our platform, we are really hopeful that we can add a superstar or two to this young core and have the best of both worlds.”
Without even speaking on it, the Lakers had already operated this summer with the intent of maintaining as much financial flexibility for next July. Prior to last month's draft, Pelinka was able to work out a deal that sent guard D'Angelo Russell along with center Timofey Mozgov‘s huge contract to the Brooklyn Nets for former All-Star center Brook Lopez, who is set to play out the final year of his deal.
Meanwhile, the free agent signing of veteran guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope on a one-year, $18 million deal also helps ensure that the team can potentially lure in an All-Star caliber player or two such as LeBron James, Paul George, DeMarcus Cousins, or Russell Westbrook next summer.
The Lakers will be one of the few teams strapped with plenty of financial room to make moves, however, it may come down to the play of their young core group to make a strong impression that would appease free agents to join the mix. If the team is able to do that, Los Angeles will in the position to make some huge additions.
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