Lakers Could Create 80M Cap Room For Giannis

Merlin sees the deadline as a setup for July. With the league projecting a $166 million cap, the report lays out every team’s 2026-27 flexibility and shows that only a handful will have true cap room. Most clubs will be stuck using mid-level exceptions or the bi-annual exception. Key wildcards include a Clippers cap review tied to Kawhi Leonard and the Lakers’ looming choice on LeBron, either of which could reshape free agent chasing. The piece points readers to "Ranking the Top 30 Potential 2026 NBA Free Agents." Merlin senses front offices becoming alchemists, stretching salaries, trading picks, or waiving deals to manufacture July firepower. Expect a few big spenders like Chicago or a cleared-out Lakers, while most teams shop the MLE aisle. The lottery will tip several fates and prompt last-minute wheeling and dealing.