Tonight’s games:
LA Lakers @ Dallas
Houston @ Golden State
LA Lakers
Last 10 Games: 8-2
2026-27 Cap Outlook:
Projected Salary Cap: $165,000,000
Functional Cap Space: $54,815,696
1st Apron Space: $101,595,864
2nd Apron Space: $114,269,864
10 players on Standard Contract (9 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?
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.
Dallas Mavericks
Last 10 Games: 2-8
2026-27 Cap Outlook:
Projected Salary Cap: $165,000,000
Functional Cap Space: $11,542,044
1st Apron Space: $55,359,371
2nd Apron Space: $68,033,371
11 players on Standard Contract (11 Gtd.)
File:Jason Kidd Nets coach.jpg: Keith Allisonderivative work: Chrishmt0423, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Biggest Questions
The pivot has begun but what assets will be prioritized as Cooper Flagg becomes the centerpiece?
What is the plan with Kyrie?
Impact Free Agent
Khris Middleton
Tyus Jones
Impact Extensions
Klay Thompson
Naji Marshall
Most Tradable Offseason Contracts
PJ Washington - $19,813,044
Daniel Gafford - $17,263,584
Klay Thompson - $17,460,318
Biggest Decisions
Which short-term veterans are earmarked to stick around?
One of the moves around the deadline was to bring in Tyus Jones as a creator to put around Flagg, but he didn’t even stick until the end of the season. However, does this signal that Dallas will be looking for veteran pieces to surround Flagg as opposed to developmental role players?
Houston Rockets
Last 10 Games: 7-3
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.
Golden State Warriors
Last 10 Games: 4-6
2026-27 Cap Outlook:
Projected Salary Cap: $165,000,000
Functional Cap Space: -$20,553,789
1st Apron Space: $24,444,704
2nd Apron Space: $37,118,704
9 players on Standard Contract (9 Gtd.)
Noah Salzman, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Biggest Questions
Does the Buter injury force a big swing in the summer?
Is Porzingis being brought in for a long-term fit, or only expiring salary?
Is there enough in the arsenal to make another pivot?
Impact Free Agent
Draymond Green (Player Option)
Al Horford (Player Option)
De’Anthony Melton (Player Option)
Impact Offseason Extensions
Steph Curry
Draymond Green (?)
Offseason Most Tradable Contracts
Moses Moody - $12,500,000
Biggest Decisions
Age and Injuries
This core has proven that they can win together, but Butler’s injury on an already truncated window simply due to age brings the move to bring in Porzingis under the microscope. If Porzingis and Butler can get and stay healthy for the stretch run next season, this could be the last run for Curry and Green.
Next Step
Simply put, the question we have been asking for years, what happens when Steph and Draymond move on?