The Los Angeles Lakers have the opportunity to do the funniest thing. After Deandre Ayton loudly proclaimed he was not Clint Capela during the 2025-26 season, the Lakers could have an intriguing path to solve their backup center problem by getting the guy who literally is the name in question.
Why not? Capela is still a serviceable role player. One could argue there is more left in the tank for him to be a capable backup than Kevon Looney. The Houston Rockets should also be anticipating Steven Adams back in time for training camp. Adams was confident in his progress when asked if he'll be ready for the new season during an appearance for Weekend Sports with Jason Pine.
"We're trekking that way, bro. It's hard to tell with injuries, especially ankles. ... In the books that they write about, I'm not in there. It's more like the average-sized dude. ... Our preseason starts in September. So very close. We'll see how we do. It's an exciting year man."
There was some caution from Adams in fully announcing his readiness, but there was also an undeniable optimism that was hard to miss. If the Rockets center is back and prepared to fully assume the backup center spot, Capela suddenly sticks out as much more tradeable.
Healthy Steven Adams would allow Lakers to poke around on Clint Capela
Trading with a conference rival is never easy. The Lakers would really need to make it worth the Rockets' time. There is, at least, some reason to believe they could.
Injuries at the point guard position limited Houston's ceiling last season. Missing Fred VanVleet due to an ACL injury delivered a major blow before the year started. It was one which the Rockets never truly recovered from.
There was an attempt made to shore up the backcourt this summer that involved poaching Marcus Smart from the Lakers. Even with that addition, VanVleet and Smart both stick out as injury risks. Extra bodies would not hurt.
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.
For the Lakers, that could involve an undeniably comical full circle moment dating back to last season.
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