The Los Angeles Lakers may have emerged as the most logical landing spot for Chris Paul after his shocking late-night departure from the Los Angeles Clippers, but the timeline complicates everything. Despite fan pressure and ongoing speculation, the Lakers are not currently in a financial position to sign Paul, at least not until mid-January.

The issue isn’t interest. It’s the salary cap.

With 14 players already on standard NBA contracts, the Lakers sit at approximately $194.8 million in total salary, just $1.1 million below the first tax apron, a spending limit that triggers a hard cap and prevents teams from exceeding it under the new collective bargaining rules.

Signing anyone at the moment, even to a minimum-salary deal, would force them past that threshold.

A veteran minimum contract currently projects at roughly $2.3 million, far exceeding their available space. The only workaround is the NBA’s prorated minimum system, and that takes time.

Each day of the regular season reduces the cost of a rest-of-season minimum contract by about $13,200. For the Lakers to create enough space to add a player without breaking league rules, the contract must fall by about $1.17 million.

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At that daily rate, it would take roughly 89 days from the start of the season for the cost to drop enough to fit under the cap.

That date lands on January 17, 2026, the earliest point the Lakers could legally sign Chris Paul without executing a trade or salary dump.

Could the Lakers still move sooner? Yes, but only by clearing salary via trade or waiving a guaranteed player. Given the limited flexibility and lack of movable contracts, that route may not be feasible.

Meanwhile, Paul’s abrupt exit from the Clippers, posted cryptically on Instagram with the caption “Just found out I'm being sent home ” has escalated speculation across the league.

If the Lakers wait, patience may pay off. If another contender swoops in sooner, timing may cost them the chance.

Either way, one thing is clear: Chris Paul’s next move will shape the NBA landscape, and the clock is already ticking.