LA Lakers
Season Record: 53-29
2026-27 Cap Outlook:
Projected Salary Cap: $165,000,000
Functional Cap Space: $54,815,695
1st Apron Space: $101,595,863
2nd Apron Space: $114,269,863
10 players on Standard Contract (8 Gtd.)
Erik Drost, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Biggest Questions
How do Reaves, Luka, Lebron, mesh in a lineup, specifically on the defensive end in the playoffs?
Is there a big roster overhaul this summer with so many contracts coming off of the books?
Can Knecht or other young players carve out a role?
Impact Free Agents
Lebron James
Austin Reaves (Player Option)
Rui Hachimura
Impact Offseason Extensions
None
Most Tradable Offseason Contracts
Jared Vanderbilt - $12,428,571
Jake LaRavia - $6,000,000
Biggest Decisions
Lebron’s Future
Lebron will likely be the ultimate last-say, but the Lakers also have a decision on whether this is a sustainable partnership.
Center Position
The Ayton signing made some sense, especially if he can become consistently aggressive as a roll man. But past that, returning Jaxson Hayes and not upgrading in rim protection could spell trouble for the Lakers driving them right back to the drawing board for a center this summer.
Houston Rockets
Season Record: 52-30
2026-27 Cap Outlook:
Projected Salary Cap: $165,000,000
Functional Cap Space: -$23,999,792
1st Apron Space: $16,124,278
2nd Apron Space: $28,798,278
9 players on Standard Contract (9 Gtd.)
Erik Drost, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Biggest Questions
What does the core look like long term?
Will the young core be broken up to compete short-term around KD?
What does the rotation look like after a solid season from Reed Sheppard and FVV returning?
Impact Free Agent
Fred VanVleet (Player Option)
Tari Eason (RFA)
Impact Offseason Extensions
Amen Thompson
Fred VanVleet
Most Tradable Offseason Contracts
Steven Adams - $13,000,000
Dorian Finney-Smith - $13,335,000
Reed Sheppard - $11,108,880
Biggest Decisions
Amen Thompson
Perhaps their crown jewel young player, Amen Thompson is going to be eligible for a rookie scale extension this summer and his potential could reach as high as Defensive Player of the Year. The max language that could be in his deal should be monitored.
Tari Eason
Eason and Houston were unable to reach an extension last offseason. For one of the integral pieces of the roster, this leaves a huge question mark as Eason takes the floor this year.