The Los Angeles Lakers attempted to bolster their frontcourt by acquiring Mark Williams from the Charlotte Hornets before the NBA trade deadline, but they rescinded the trade due to concerns arising from his physical examination. This leaves them needing additional depth at center and limited by salary cap restrictions, as they currently sit $1.6 million below the second apron after recent trades. Although the Lakers can make some additions, they must navigate salary limits, making cost-effective signings essential as they seek to address their roster needs without exceeding salary cap thresholds.
The Lakers seemed to address their need for a long-term starting center when they acquired Mark Williams from the Charlotte Hornets ahead of the Feb. 6 NBA trade deadline. However, they rescinded the trade after finding "multiple issues" during his physical.
The Lakers currently have $187.3 million in salary on their books, which leaves them $1.6 million below the second apron. They're hard-capped at the second apron after aggregating contracts in the Luka Dončić trade.
As of Feb. 10, a rest-of-season minimum deal would be roughly $755,000. That means the Lakers could waive up to two players and sign two new players to rest-of-season minimum contracts without crossing the second apron.
Since the Lakers are over the first apron, they also can't sign someone on the buyout market who previously earned more than $12.8 million. Luckily, it doesn't seem like an impact big man will shake loose at that price point.
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