Lakers Salary Cap: Examining Rob Pelinka’s Financial Situation Amid Inactive Offseason

The Lakers’ off-season has been pretty low-key, especially after dropping the ball on Jonas Valanciunas in free agency, which would’ve been a major come-up. Now, they reportedly agreed to a deal with Christian Koloko, a 7-foot rim protector from the Raptors. He’ll help on defense, but he’s not bringing that seasoned edge Valanciunas would’ve.

Other than that, it’s been more about locking in their future with draft picks like Dalton Knecht and Bronny James, plus re-signing Max Christie. With JJ Redick stepping in as the new coach, they’ve got some fresh vibes, but overall, it feels like they’re just setting the table instead of making any big-time moves.

This is the salary cap table for the 2024-25 season:

Player	Salary
Lebron James	$48,728,845
Anthony Davis	$43,219,440-Early Termination Declined Option
D’Angelo Russell	$18,692,307-Player option(exercised)
Rui Hachimura	$17,000,000
Austin Reaves	$12,976,362
Gabe Vincent	$11,000,000
Jarred Vanderbilt	$10,714,286
Max-Christie	$7,142,857
Jalen Hood-Schifino	$3,879,840
Dalton Knecht	$3,819,120
Christian Wood	$3,036,040-Player option(Exercised)
Jaxson Hayes	$2,463,946-Player option(Exercised)
Cam Reddish	$2,463,946
Maxwell Lewis	$1,891,857
Bronny James	$1,157,153
Jordan Goodwin	$2,162,606
Kylor Kelly	$1,157,153
Cameron Oliver	$1,157,153
Colin Castleton	$0-Two-way contract
Blake Hinson	$0-Two-way contract
Armel Traore	$0-Two-way contract

The Lakers’ active salary cap is sitting at $188,185,999, just $45K under the second apron—cutting it real close. But they made it happen, all thanks to

LeBron taking $101.35 million instead of the full $104 million he could’ve grabbed.

Additonally, if the Lakers really want to lock in Christian Koloko on a two-way deal, they’ve got a tough call to make. Right now, they’ve already got Colin Castleton, Blake Hinson, and Armel Traore holding down those spots. To bring Koloko in, one of them’s gotta get waived. It’s more than just shifting pieces around—it’s rough for whoever’s been grinding, trying to prove they belong, only to get cut.

The front office has to weigh if Koloko’s size and rim protection are worth ditching a young player with potential. That’s how the game is played, but it still stings for the players caught in the middle.

How can Christian Koloko help the Lakers?

Even though Christian Koloko couldn’t hit the court for the 2023-24 season because of a blood clot and was let go by the Raptors in January 2024, his 2022-23 performance still speaks volumes. Christian Koloko could be a real game-changer for the Lakers, bringing a solid finish to plays in the pick-and-roll or from the dunker spot. His potential as a reliable outlet option is huge and adds some serious value. But the standout feature of his game is his rim protection.

Back in his junior year with the Arizona Wildcats, Koloko was a defensive beast, averaging 2.8 blocks per game and racking up impressive stats like 2.4 defensive win shares and a box plus/minus of 10.5. Those numbers show he’s got the skills and drive to make a huge difference on D.

We all know the Lakers’ defense has been a weak spot, and Tim Bontemps has called out that they still need to patch up some gaps. Last season, their D was pretty average because Anthony Davis was doing most of the heavy lifting on that end. But with a 7-footer like Koloko coming in, things could change up big time. His rim protection means Davis can shift his focus more to the offensive side, giving him the chance to make a bigger impact where the Lakers really need it.

Absolutely, with Koloko’s pick-and-roll game, he’s not just bringing defense—he’s set to be a boost for LeBron James on the offensive end too. Picture LeBron working the pick-and-roll with a 7-footer who can finish strong at the rim. It’s not just adding another player; it’s about giving LeBron more options and support to keep defenses on their toes. Koloko’s presence can ease some of the load off LeBron, letting him play more freely and make even bigger plays.

The Lakers are in a spot where bringing Koloko on board could be a smart move, even if it’s not a headline-making deal. With a relatively quiet offseason, Rob Pelinka and the team closing this deal would be a way to add some value without making major waves. What’s your take on this?