The Los Angeles Lakers have officially locked in deals with Deandre Ayton, Jake LaRavia, and rookie Adou Thiero, adding to what is now a fully shaped-out roster for the upcoming season. With these new signings, here’s a breakdown of the Lakers’ payroll heading into 2025–26.
The player salaries are as follows:
- LeBron James – $52.6 million
- Luka Doncic – $45.9 million
- Rui Hachimura – $18.2 million
- Austin Reaves – $13.9 million
- Jarred Vanderbilt – $11.5 million
- Gabe Vincent – $11.5 million
- Maxi Kleber – $11 million
- Deandre Ayton – $8.1 million
- Jake LaRavia – $6 million
- Dalton Knecht – $4 million
- Jaxson Hayes – $3.4 million
- Shake Milton – $3 million
- Jordan Goodwin – $2.3 million
- Bronny James – $1.9 million
- Adou Thiero – $1.2 million
Two-way players Eric Dixon and Trey Jemison are also on the books, though their salaries won’t count toward the cap. Altogether, the team’s total salary reaches $195.0 million, leaving them just under the first apron of $195.9 million.
The Lakers used their full $14.1 million non-taxpayer mid-level exception on Ayton and LaRavia, which triggered a hard cap at the first apron. Their only tool left to sign new players is the $5.1 million bi-annual exception (BAE), which can only be fully utilized if they don’t cross the first apron. To access the full BAE, they’d need to clear cap space, possibly by waiving Shake Milton, which would unlock up to $3.9 million of that exception. Any additional spending would require salary cuts via trades.
With $34 million committed to Jarred Vanderbilt, Gabe Vincent, and Maxi Kleber, the Lakers could explore trade options. As noted, “Vanderbilt and Kleber are unlikely to play significant roles when the playoffs come around, while Vincent didn’t impress in the first round against the Minnesota Timberwolves last season.”
Moving Vincent or Kleber might not be too tough since both are on expiring contracts, but Vanderbilt poses a challenge, as he’s signed through 2026–27 with a player option in 2027–28.
Rui Hachimura is also one to watch, entering the final year of his deal and a potential trade chip. There had been chatter around Austin Reaves, but that seems to have faded. Still, Reaves will become a free agent in 2026 if he declines his $14.8 million player option, which adds some uncertainty.
Meanwhile, the top earners — LeBron James and Luka Doncic — are consuming almost $100 million of the cap space. The author notes, “They’re certainly worth the money, though.”
LeBron chose to opt into his $52.6 million player option, coming off his 21st straight All-NBA selection. Doncic, now the franchise’s centerpiece, is expected to sign an extension in August.
While Doncic’s place on the team appears stable, LeBron’s situation is more delicate. As mentioned, “His relationship with the front office has been strained,” raising questions about whether he might request a trade before the deadline.
