Trade & FA 2025-26: Free Agency Starts 5pm CST/6pm EST

[F Gump]

Since FA has come to a complete standstill, here is a theoretical LeBron to GSW (although I still believe he will play this season for Lakers). Lakers are hard capped at the first apron and very close to it, so they can't take back much more salaries than sending out. GSW is not hardcapped, but they can't take back more salaries, as that would also hard cap them at first apron. It wouldn't make much sense for anyone if any of Butler, Curry or Draymond are included, so the solution would be in Lakers taking back SnT players Kuminga and Payton, which could both be interesting for them. At least one of Moody or Hield would also need to be included for salary matching. GSW would be left very thin, as they could only take vet min to fill rest of team.

Lakers: Kuminga at 30 mil prove it deal (further years not guaranteed or team option), Payton at 10 mil prove it deal (further years not guaranteed or team option), Moody - that is 51 mil of salary, so modify around the edges to make the deal work. GSW adds whatever draft capital they negotiate
GSW: LeBron

GSW would be in the second apron with some have a very old and shallow team, but perhaps strong enough for that final push for the title. Lakers would get someting for LeBron without really hurting their flexibility going forward for post LeBron era.

GSW team before vet min:
C: Jackson Davies, Post
PF: LeBron, Draymond (also small ball center)
SF: Butler, Santos, Rowe
SG: Podziemski, Hield
PG: Curry

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2522...-statement

The trade match wouldn't work, as Kuminga would only count 15M in outgoing salary ("base year" is the old term used).

But it's a bigger issue than that. There is NO scenario in which you could have all 4 of Curry, Butler, DG, and LBJ on GS roster because of the total salary violating hard cap rules. It's literally impossible to do.