The Lakers still have work to do before next season tips off, even after shaking up the roster around Luka Doncic. Los Angeles has already added Walker Kessler and signed Kevon Looney, but the center spot still looks like a place where one injury could create real problems.
That concern has kept the Lakers active in the big-man market. As Dan Woike of The Athletic reported, the team is still keeping tabs on available centers.
He wrote, "The Lakers are still monitoring the market for big men, team sources told The Athletic," adding, "They traded for Walker Kessler and signed Kevon Looney to play center, and Mamukelashvili can play the position, too. The team could address the position either by trade or signing, like with potentially adding Thybulle.
The roster is currently at full capacity."
One idea floated by Lake Show Life’s Svyatoslav Rovenchuk would send Jaden Hardy to the Houston Rockets for Clint Capela. Rovenchuk pointed to the contract math as part of what makes the deal workable, writing, "The money on someone like Jaden Hardy matches up easily with Capela's $7 million.
That trade would be doable tomorrow, if both sides wanted it. Granted, there might be some level of discussion around draft capital that is warranted there. $7 million for a third-string center is an expensive insurance policy to keep around behind Alperen Sengun and Adams.
If the Rockets believe in the health of the latter being recouped and recovered, there is sense to exploring what Capela could be worth," Rovenchuk wrote.
For the Lakers, the appeal is straightforward. Capela gives them a true backup center, the kind of rim-running big who can finish above the basket and thrive next to Doncic in pick-and-roll action. He would also give Doncic another reliable lob target, something that matters when the offense needs easy points.
Capela has made $137 million throughout his career so far, and the fit in Los Angeles is easy to see if the Lakers decide they want another center before opening night.
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