kobe, they could have. Lakers could have signed carmelo and another player and they could have had a big three. It wasn't the salary cap as much as what those other players wanted. Now its a whole other discussion to talk about whether they should have a cap. Should an owner have a cap on how much money he can make? It is all fine and dandy to make a cap to make the game fair to other markets, but owners can make whatever they want. Now should they? Well in a capitalist society. ya, they probably should. The players should also be able to get paid what they are worth.