Lakers Predicted to Sign Formidable Center to $5.6 Million Contract

The Los Angeles Lakers have said they want to be active on the trade market this offseason, but there have already been a lot of deals around the league. The Lakers have been quiet so far, but there’s still plenty of time to make moves.

If they can’t find the right trade to make, there are also options in free agency. Center is clearly the team’s biggest need, and the Lakers have acknowledged that it’s a position they would like to upgrade.

Atlanta Hawks center Clint Capela is set ot be a free agent, and he could be a logical option. Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report predicted that the the Lakers will sign Capela to a taxpayer mid-level exception, which should be worth 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.”

Lakers Linked to a Few Trade Options

Capela would be an upgrade over what the Lakers had at center last season, but there are better options in the trade market.

ESPN’s Dave McMenamin discussed some of the Lakers’ trade options.

“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 wrote.

“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 Among Centers Lakers Are Considering

The Lakers will turn over every stone to get back into title contention, which will lead to them looking at a lot of players. McMenamin listed even more centers the Lakers have been considering, and Capela was on the list.

“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.”

The Lakers are well-positioned to land at least one veteran center. Centers want to play with Luka Doncic and they’ll get big minutes in Los Angeles. Plus, they’d get to play for the biggest brand in the NBA.