Lakers Rumors: Kemba Walker, Jimmy Butler, Kyrie Irving Targeted By LA, Despite Salary Cap Concerns

After agreeing to trade for Anthony Davis, the Los Angeles Lakers face some key questions in free agency. The team will have anywhere from $23.7 million to $32.5 million to spend. L.A. has to decide if that money should go to one All-Star-caliber player or be split among a few lesser players.

It sounds like the Lakers are aiming to use all of their remaining cap space on one of the best free agents available. Los Angeles is expected to target Kemba Walker, Jimmy Butler and Kyrie Irving when teams are officially allowed to negotiate with players on June 30, hoping to form their own “Big 3” with Davis and LeBron James.

The Lakers’ top choice in free agency would, of course, be Kawhi Leonard, who just won his second NBA Finals MVP award. L.A. will be in the running for the forward, though the Toronto Raptors and Los Angeles Clippers are the heavy favorites in the Kawhi Leonard Sweepstakes.

It’s long been reported that the Lakers aren’t the No.1 choice for any top free agent.

Irving appears incredibly unlikely to head to the Lakers since all reports indicate he’s going to the Brooklyn Nets. The Lakers could have a real chance to land either Walker or Butler if their own teams don’t offer them full max contracts.

The Charlotte Hornets can offer Walker about $80 million more than any other team, though they aren’t expected to pay the guard the supermax. Walker has indicated that he’d like to come to a long-term agreement with the only NBA team he’s ever played for.

The Philadelphia 76ers have some big decisions to make with Butler, Tobias Harris and JJ Redick all set to hit free agency. Philadelphia likely can’t keep all three, though Butler might be their top priority after he was their best player in the postseason.

The Lakers’ cap space will be determined by the date that the Anthony Davis trade is made official. The deal is expected to be completed on July 6, leaving the Lakers with less than a full max slot.

According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, if the Lakers find that one of those stars wants to join the team, they will approach the New Orleans Pelicans about holding off on making the trade official until July 30. Doing so would allow them to give out a max contract. If New Orleans doesn’t acquiesce, L.A. could ask Davis to decline his trade bonus in order to free up more than $4 million in cap space.

Los Angeles will have difficulty filling out their roster this summer. James, Davis and Kyle Kuzma are the only players signed that received significant playing time last season.

Moritz Wagner and Isaac Bonga are also under contract. The Lakers could try to trade them to free up more cap space. Wagner and Bonga are set to make $2.063 million and $1.663 million, respectively, next season.

The Lakers were expected to pursue Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson before they suffered injuries that will force them to miss most, if not all, of next season.