The Los Angeles Lakers have expressed their intention to be active in the trade market this offseason, though many trades have already taken place across the league. Despite the current silence from the Lakers, there remains ample time to make moves. If trades don’t pan out, free agency presents another viable path — particularly at the center position, which the team has openly stated is a key area they hope to strengthen.
One potential free-agent target is Atlanta Hawks center Clint Capela. According to Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report, there’s a prediction that the Lakers will sign Capela using the taxpayer mid-level exception, valued around $5.6 million.
> “Capela, 31, has probably aged out of his stay in Atlanta. Onyeka Okongwu and others will fill that spot, leaving the veteran rebounder and shot-blocker to find a new home,” Pincus wrote. “He should expect a decrease in pay, but he may be one of the top available bigs on the market.
He’s not much of a scorer, and his efficiency at the rim has dropped from 65.3 percent from the field in 2022-23 to 55.9 percent. Still, he might provide a team with double-double production as a 24-minute starter, sharing minutes on a playoff-capable team.”
Though Capela would mark an improvement from last season’s center rotation, the Lakers are also exploring other trade possibilities. ESPN’s Dave McMenamin mentioned several trade scenarios involving Los Angeles.
“But rumors swirled this week, linking L.A. to trade talks with the Utah Jazz for center Walker Kessler and the Miami Heat for wing Andrew Wiggins, and representatives for both Reaves and Vincent were not contacted about any of the teams involved, sources told ESPN, which is customary when a trade nears the finish line,” McMenamin reported.
He added that:
“Kessler was one of the centers L.A. inquired about last season before the Williams trade, sources told ESPN, but Utah’s asking price — multiple first-round picks — was too steep. The 23-year-old 7-footer averaged 11.1 points, 12.2 rebounds (including a league-leading 4.6 offensive rebounds) and 2.4 blocks in his third season with the Jazz.”
Capela is among a group of centers the Lakers are reportedly considering. McMenamin listed several other names, indicating the team’s broad search for frontcourt help.
“The Lakers called the Atlanta Hawks about their 6-10, athletic big man Onyeka Okongwu last season, sources told ESPN,” McMenamin wrote. “Other centers under contract that the Lakers have mulled internally since last season include Brooklyn’s Nic Claxton and Portland’s Robert Williams III, sources told ESPN. Among the other free agent big men L.A. could target are veterans Clint Capela, Al Horford and Brook Lopez.”
Los Angeles is in a favorable position to at thetract veteran centers — players are interested in joining forces with Luka Doncic, getting substantial playing time, and wearing the jersey of the NBA’s most iconic franchise.
