Honestly, looking at the Lakers roster and salary situation right now feels like trying to solve a Rubik's Cube while the colors are actively changing. It’s chaotic. If you haven't been keeping up with the 2025-2026 season, the books in Los Angeles have undergone a massive transformation that most fans are still trying to wrap their heads around.
Gone are the days when the conversation was just about LeBron and AD. Well, LeBron is still here—41 years old and somehow still collecting a check larger than some small-market team's entire starting backcourt. But the landscape has shifted. The Lakers are no longer just "LeBron's team"; they’ve become a strange, expensive experiment in blending the greatest of the past with the superstars of right now.
The Massive LeBron and Luka Payroll
You've probably heard the rumors, but the reality is even crazier. LeBron James opted into his $52,627,153 player option for this 2025-26 season. That is a staggering amount of money for a player in his 23rd season, but let's be real—as long as he wants to play, the Lakers are going to pay.
Then there’s the elephant in the room: Luka Doncic.
The blockbuster acquisition of Luka has completely rewritten how the Lakers handle their money. This season, Luka is pulling in $45,999,660. When you combine his salary with LeBron’s, you’re looking at nearly $100 million tied up in just two human beings. Basically, about 64% of the $154.6 million salary cap is gone before you even fill out the rest of the starting five.
It’s a "stars-and-scrubs" build on steroids. Because of this top-heavy structure, GM Rob Pelinka has had to get incredibly creative with the middle of the roster.
Breaking Down the Rest of the 2026 Roster
The supporting cast is where things get interesting—and a bit risky. Behind the two titans, you have Rui Hachimura, who is in the final year of his three-year, $51 million deal. He’s making $18,259,259 this season. He’s basically the "middle class" of this roster, but with the new CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement) being as punishing as it is, players like Rui are becoming a luxury that’s hard to keep.
Here is how the rest of the main rotation shakes out financially for the 2025-26 campaign:
- Austin Reaves: $13,937,574. Honestly, this remains one of the best value contracts in the entire NBA. Reaves has developed into a top-tier scorer, and getting that production for under $14 million is the only reason the Lakers can afford the rest of this group.
- Jarred Vanderbilt: $11,571,429. Still the defensive heart, though his injury history makes fans hold their breath every time he hits the floor.
- Gabe Vincent: $11,500,000. This is the contract most people point to when they want to complain about the salary cap.
- Deandre Ayton: $8,104,000. A low-cost reclamation project that has actually worked out as the starting center.
The Lakers are currently sitting with a total taxable payroll of roughly $194.8 million. If you’re keeping score at home, that puts them about $6.9 million over the luxury tax line of $187.9 million. They are dangerously close to that "First Apron" ($195.9 million), which would limit their ability to make trades or sign buyout players.
What happened to Anthony Davis?
This is the part that still trips people up. Anthony Davis is no longer on the Lakers roster. In the massive shake-up to land Luka, AD ended up with the Dallas Mavericks. It’s a bizarre sight seeing him in a Mavs jersey, and as of early 2026, the rumors are swirling that he might be on the move again because Dallas isn't willing to give him the $275 million extension he’s looking for.
Lakers fans might have some "grass isn't greener" feelings about that trade, but having Luka next to LeBron has changed the offensive ceiling of this team in ways we haven't seen since the Kobe and Shaq days.
Why the Second Apron is the Lakers' Real Enemy
The NBA's new salary rules are brutal. Because the Lakers are so high on the payroll, they are "hard-capped" at the First Apron. This means they literally cannot cross that $195.9 million line for any reason this season.
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It makes the trade deadline a nightmare.
If Pelinka wants to bring in a vet like Andrew Wiggins or Herb Jones—both names that have been linked to LA recently—the math has to be perfect. You can't just "absorb" salary anymore. You have to send out almost exactly what you bring in. This is why guys like Jake LaRavia ($6M) and Marcus Smart ($5.1M) are so important. They aren't just players; they are "salary ballast" for future deals.
The Bronny Factor and the Minimums
We can't talk about the Lakers roster without mentioning Bronny James. He’s making $1,955,377 this year. While some critics call it nepotism, from a salary cap perspective, it’s actually a very standard second-round pick contract.
To fill out the end of the bench, the Lakers have leaned heavily on two-way contracts and rookie-scale deals.
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- Dalton Knecht: $4,010,160 (Solid wing depth).
- Jaxson Hayes: $3,449,323.
- Adou Thiero: $1,272,870.
- Nick Smith Jr. / Chris Mañon: Two-way guys who don't count against the cap but provide bodies for practice.
What's Next for the Lakers' Bank Account?
The big question looming over the 2026 offseason is Austin Reaves. He has a player option for $14.8 million for the 2026-27 season. Everyone expects him to decline that and look for a massive payday. If the Lakers pay him, they will almost certainly blast past the Second Apron ($207.8M), which would strip them of their mid-level exception and potentially freeze their future first-round draft picks.
It’s a high-stakes game of chicken with the league office.
If you’re looking to track this yourself, pay attention to the trade deadline. If the Lakers move Rui Hachimura for multiple smaller contracts, it’s a sign they are trying to duck the tax. If they stand pat, they are going "all-in" on this LeBron-Luka window, regardless of the financial penalties.
Practical Steps for Fans
If you want to keep an eye on how this roster evolves, check out the Spotrac or Basketball-Reference salary tables every few weeks. Contracts in the NBA are pro-rated, so the "cost" of a player changes as the season goes on. Also, keep an eye on Luka Doncic’s extension eligibility in August. If he signs a super-max, the Lakers' salary cap will be locked in for the next half-decade, for better or worse.
The 2026 Lakers are the most expensive show in town, and the bill is finally coming due.