Report: NBA Contenders Looking to Hammer at Lakers Pursuit of Roster Help

The “luxury-tax apron” is keeping Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka busy, and he may not be able to make some roster changes.

Pelinka usually gets help at this point of the season. This time, he will probably miss the chance to add more players going forward in the Lakers’ attempt to defend the title.

Big man Markieff Morris was a big name in the playoffs last season. He was signed as a free agent after the NBA trade deadline. The Detroit Pistons released him and he signed with the team. Additions of this kind play a big role in the Lakers’ playoff plans this season.

Lakers to boost the roster

Los Angeles is watching key players who may be waived after the NBA trade deadline. This includes Oklahoma City Thunder’s Trevor Ariza and George Hill. Ed Davis from Minnesota is also an option.

The league has a luxury tax threshold and if teams get over this threshold, they have to pay a tax. Getting over this is possible and teams can use salary cap-exceptions. Even these exceptions come with limits. Teams that are over the tax threshold by a high margin, hit the luxury-tax apron and can in no way exceed this number. There are just a few exceptions in this case.

The Lakers are $912,953 shy of the apron. In other words, they can’t add new players despite their open spots. Los Angeles will try to boost the roster, but they won’t be able to do that until later in the regular season. The NBA has very special math.

Los Angeles is facing great competition for players who are set to enter free agency. This includes teams that can deliver more money to new players than the LA can.

The Brooklyn Nets are the biggest competition LA faces at the moment. The Nets signed Iman Shumpert and center Norvel Pelle.

Shumpert is a combo guard with an excellent defensive reputation. Pelle is an all-defense, shot-blocking player. LA was left with empty hands at this point of the season.