Why LA couldn’t sign Chris Paul until mid-January

ByNBAUSA



The Los Angeles Lakers may have emerged as the most logical landing spot for Chris Paul after his shocking late night departure from the Los Angeles Clippers, but the timeline complicates everything. Despite fan pressure and constant speculation, the Lakers are currently not in a financial position to sign Paul, at least not until mid-January.

The question is not interest. That’s the salary cap.

With 14 players already on standard NBA contracts, the Lakers have approximately $194.8 million in total salary, just $1.1 million below the first tax rate, a spending cap that triggers a hard cap and prevents teams from going below it new rules of collective bargaining.

Signing anyone at this point, even to a minimum wage contract, would force them over that threshold.

The veteran minimum contract is currently around $2.3 million, which far exceeds their cap space. The only solution is the NBA’s proportional minimum system, and that takes time.

Each day of the regular season reduces the minimum contract price for the rest of the season by about $13,200. In order for the Lakers to create enough cap space to add a player without violating league rules, the contract must drop by about $1.17 million.

At that daily rate, it would take approximately 89 days from the start of the season for the price to drop enough to fit under the cap.

That date comes on Jan. 17, 2026, the earliest the Lakers could legally sign Chris Paul without making a trade or paying salary.

Could the Lakers get going early after all? Yes, but only by paying via settlement via trade or waiver of a guaranteed player. Given the limited flexibility and lack of rolling contracts, that path may not be feasible.

meanwhile, Paul’s sudden exit from the Clippersa cryptic Instagram post with the caption “Just found out I’m being sent home” escalated league-wide speculation.

If the Lakers wait, patience may pay off. If another candidate swoops in early, the timing could cost him the chance.

In any case, one thing is clear: Chris Paul’s next move will shape the NBA landscapeand the clock is already ticking.





2025-12-03 13:59:00

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