The Los Angeles Lakers are in the market for a center who can help address the litany of flaws that have plagued the team in 2024-25. It's a statement that's been reiterated across multiple seasons, with franchise player Anthony Davis going as far as to request help at the position.
As the Lakers begin to place a stronger emphasis on improvement at center, however, it appears as though the highly-anticipated improvement could soon be on the way.
Los Angeles has been linked to a number of intriguing players at the center position early in 2024-25. That includes, but isn't limited to, Washington Wizards veteran Jonas Valanciunas and Portland Trail Blazers shot-blocker Robert Williams III.
According to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, another option could soon be available for the Lakers to consider: Atlanta Hawks center Clint Capela.
"The Hawks nonetheless would like to find Capela a new home before his contract expires after this season, sources say, with Atlanta confident in the long-term starting ability of Onyeka Okongwu."
It'd be far more difficult to match Capela's salary than Valanciunas', but there's ample reason to explore the option.
Clint Capela available for Lakers to pursue in trade talks
Capela, 30, continues to be one of the most reliably productive big men in the NBA. Thus far in 2024-25, he's averaging 10.0 poins, 9.4 rebounds, 3.7 offensive boards, 1.3 assists, 1.0 block, and 0.6 steals in just 23.0 minutes per contest.
Those figures translate to marks of 15.7 points, 14.7 rebounds, 5.7 offensive boards, 2.0 assists, 1.6 blocks, and 1.0 steal per 36 minutes.
Capela is in the final season of his current contract, however, which has made way for an all but even split in playing time between himself and Okongwu. They're combining to play 46.8 minutes per game, with Okongwu at 23.8 to Capela's 23.0.
Atlanta's shift in priorities should in no way imply that Capela has lost the ability to contribute positively to winning, however, as it's instead a result of the team's desire to build for the future.
As for the Lakers, their needs seem to perfectly align with the positive elements of what Capela provides. They rank No. 25 in offensive rebounds, No. 24 in second-chance points, No. 28 in second-chance points allowed, and No. 27 in opponent points in the paint.
Capela, meanwhile, ranks in the top five in the NBA in offensive rebounding percentage, cracks the top 35 in defensive rebounding percentage, and is holding opponents to 52.6 percent shooting within six feet of the rim—11.4 percent below the league average.
Operating alongside Davis, Capela would take a significant amount of pressure off of the Lakers' franchise player. Davis would be able to roam freely in his free safety role, finally being able to trust that his interior complement can hold their own when rebounding, defending the post, or protecting the rim.
It could prove challenging for the Lakers to match Capela's $22,265,280 salary in trade conversations, but for a lowly defensive team, he'd be well worth the cost.