DJT Jumpshot Mailbag: Potential, Kawhi Leonard, and Houston

My Love for the Rockets’ Big Man

This question comes from Eric via email, who states:

"“I just finished reading your offseason article on the Lakers. I was surprised that you only had eleven players for your low-mid free agent tiers, which gives me the question. Do you want anyone that you did not include in the said post? Is there anyone that catches your eye who is mind-boggling?"

As a matter of fact, I did. A couple of months ago, I released an opinionated piece on why the Lakers should consider signing Luc Mbah a Moute. That reality might be squashed if Houston reaches the Finals and wins [might less, lose to Golden State or the Jazz, whichever comes first]. I even paid my respects to Houston by traveling there for Game 5 and watching them defeat the Timberwolves. But another Houston player catches my eye.

Clint Capela, for a while, flew under the radar. Now, he’s grown into the third best player on the Rockets as a traditional big. What people do not recognize about Capela is his ability to switch on whoever the ball screener sets apart from.

Capela is one of the most versatile centers in the game. Though he may not space out the floor like P.J. Tucker and Trevor Ariza do, Capela is among the league’s best at screen assists. He’s also a huge reason why James Harden was able to have an MVP season, and an offensive year for the ages.

He’s a noticeable upgrade from Brook Lopez, who was the starting center for much of the 2017-18 Lakers campaign. Capela is entering free agency as a restricted FA, meaning that the team he is currently on can match any offer sheet thrown at him.

There is no shot at any other team vying for his services since Mike D’Antoni and Daryl Morey love him as a person and as a professional basketball player. As for me, however, I would love to see Capela in a Lakers uniform.