Los Angeles Lakers

Can the Los Angeles Lakers sign a max free agent in 2026-27?

Not through free agency. The Lakers have no cap space for 2026-27, and outside free agents can only sign for the max using cap space.

This includes a projected signing that is not yet official, so these figures are an estimate.

Max, 0-6 yrs (25%)

$41.2M

Max, 7-9 yrs (30%)

$49.5M

Max, 10+ yrs (35%)

$57.7M

Cap space

-$64.1M

Max starting salaries run $41.2M to $57.7M depending on experience, and the Lakers' cap position is -$64.1M.

Without room, a max-level player can still arrive by trade (matching salary) or by the Lakers re-signing their own free agent with Bird rights, which works over the cap.

The rule behind this

A player's maximum starting salary is a percentage of the salary cap, set by his years of service: 25% with 0–6 years, 30% with 7–9, and 35% with 10 or more.

How do NBA max salaries work? →What is cap space? →What does renouncing a free agent mean? →