While the rest of the NBA focuses on catching the Oklahoma City Thunder in the present, a cold, quiet war is already underway, one that’s two years away from detonating.
It centers not on the hardwood but in the front offices, where three Western Conference powerhouses, the Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors, and Los Angeles Clippers, are preparing for what could be the greatest free agency class in NBA history: the summer of 2027.
The list of names available in that offseason is jaw-dropping. Headlining the potential class are Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, and Giannis Antetokounmpo, arguably the top three players in the world.
But it doesn’t stop there. Anthony Davis, Donovan Mitchell, Trae Young, Stephen Curry, Kawhi Leonard, Jimmy Butler, Karl-Anthony Towns, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving are all projected to hit the open market.
Even if some of those names are approaching or in their mid-30s, their market impact will be seismic. And for the three Pacific Division juggernauts, it’s a chess match already in motion.
Among all teams, the Lakers are best positioned to strike hard. They currently project to have just $22.2 million in guaranteed contracts by the summer of 2027, giving them the cleanest slate in the league. That said, their number one priority is clear: lock in Luka Doncic.
After acquiring Doncic in a historic trade from Dallas, the Lakers now hold his Bird Rights and are reportedly ready to offer him a four-year, $228 million extension as soon as he becomes eligible.
The catch? Because he was traded, he missed out on a potential five-year, $347 million deal. Doncic may choose to take a shorter deal now and position himself for a monster $406 million re-sign in a couple of years.
No matter how it shakes out, the Lakers are committed to building around Luka for the next decade. However, they’ve also been criticized for playing the long game, hoarding cap space for 2027 instead of going all-in to win now with Luka and LeBron James. If things don’t go well by then, rival teams like the Clippers could make a serious run at luring Doncic across town.
For the Warriors, who are just behind the Lakers with $23.5 million in guaranteed money projected for 2027, the goal is a seamless transition after the Stephen Curry era. The franchise took one last shot at contention by acquiring Jimmy Butler at the 2025 trade deadline, but the window is clearly closing.
Once Curry and Butler move on, possibly retiring before 2027, Golden State will look to retool with a major free agency splash. They’ll have cap space, a global brand, and an organizational pedigree to lure top-tier talent. If Nikola Jokic or Giannis become available, expect the Warriors to be at the front of the line.
The Clippers, sitting at $26.05 million in guaranteed contracts for 2027, have been one of the league’s biggest what-ifs since 2019. They won free agency that summer with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, only to fall short time and again. With James Harden and Kawhi both off the books by 2027, they’ll be free to reset.
Make no mistake, the Clippers are watching Luka. If the Lakers underachieve or Doncic grows frustrated, the Clippers will pounce. They’ll also be in the mix for Mitchell, Trae, or even a bold play for Giannis or Jokic.
Jokic recently turned down a contract extension, as expected – a move likely aimed at securing an even larger deal worth $80 million more in the future. But Denver’s back-to-back second-round exits have shaken the foundation. If the Nuggets don’t reload and contend immediately, Jokic may look elsewhere.
Giannis, meanwhile, has danced on the edge of trade rumors for the entire summer. With three straight first-round exits and a retooled roster that now includes Myles Turner and no Damian Lillard, his patience may run out if Milwaukee doesn’t become a contender again.
Donovan Mitchell’s future in Cleveland is also uncertain. If the Cavaliers can’t get over the hump soon, Mitchell might walk. Trae Young, after years of underwhelming seasons with Atlanta, could be another marquee name who changes zip codes.
Even veterans like Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, Harden, and Kawhi could command strong short-term deals if they age gracefully into elite secondary roles.
While all eyes are on the California trio, don’t sleep on the Houston Rockets. They currently project to have the 7th-most cap space in 2027, all while being legitimate contenders right now after trading for Kevin Durant and making a string of shrewd offseason moves.
If the Rockets can maintain success, they could present an attractive destination for stars looking to win now with a young core in place. Whether it’s a returning Harden or a wild-card play for a Jokic or Mitchell, Houston is in the mix.
This isn’t just another free agency cycle; 2027 could be the biggest arms race in NBA history. With superstars circling uncertainty, front offices are playing long-term chess moves in a league that lives moment to moment.
The Lakers, Warriors, and Clippers are clearing their decks, and the Rockets are lurking. What happens in the next two years might determine who controls the NBA’s next great dynasty. The war hasn’t begun, but the bombs are being built.
