On Monday, the NBA announced that the salary cap has been set at $154.647 million for the 2025-26 season, while the tax level is $187.895 million. The first apron level is set at $195.945 million, and the second apron level is $207.824 million. The salary cap and tax level went into effect at 12:01 a.m. ET on Tuesday.

The Los Angeles Lakers could lose a key role player this offseason after Dorian Finney-Smith declined his player option for the 2025-26 season, but the team reportedly already has an eye on a new addition if Finney-Smith decides to walk in free agency.

The Lakers may be thinking too far into the future that they forgot to deal with the present in this year's free agency.