The lakers are likely going to pay the Luxury tax now and in the future, whether or not they resign Turiaf, for the simple reason that A. They can afford it, B. They have kobe, gasol, Odom and Bynum. & C. They can afford it. The real question... is matching Turiaf's 4 yr 17million dollar contract really going to adversely affect how much they pay that badly? The answer quite simply is no. First of all, since Turiaf's salary will start only at around 3.5 mil this year, making his tax hit only 3.5 mil I dont see how the Lakers afford NOT to match the offer. Second, assuming the lakers do not match they will still need to find another backup c/pf to replace him with. The odds of them finding someone for cheaper than 3.5mil and better or as good is very very slim. Last, by this time next year, while Bynum gets a big new contract several contracts will expire, ie... Odom's 14.6 million dollar contract expires, along with the contract of Chris mihms 2.5million and Trevor Ariza's 2.9 million... While its unlikely that the Lakers will not spend or resign any of these expiring contracts, its also unlikely that Turiafs 4million salary will hamper or restrict the Lakers financially... unlike a couple noticeably paler lakers, both of whom will still have much worst looking contracts
Lakers offered Garbajosa a contract? He was allegedly waived/bought out by Toronto because he wouldn't pass a physical in a trade. If this offer is real and Lakers don't match Turiaf's contract they are most likely looking for the cheapest options out there to fill out their roster. http://www.marca.com/edicion/marca/baloncesto/nba/es/desarrollo/1144924.html
