While the Lakers may search high and low for a center this offseason, the most obvious answer may also be the correct one.
With the need for a center being the big, looming question over the summer for the Lakers, we’ll be taking a look at a number of potential targets, both via free agency or trade. Today, we continue with Clint Capela.
The Lakers may plan on overturning every stone this summer, but it might be the most obvious option that is the solution to their problems.
In the search for a pick-and-roll threat that can catch lobs, perhaps no center has made that their M.O. more throughout their career than Clint Capela. In Houston, he became the perfect complement to James Harden and Chris Paul, then eventually became the yin to Trae Young’s yang in Atlanta.
Entering free agency, while some options may have a higher ceiling or be more intriguing, there may not be an option that makes more sense than Capela.
How would he fit with the Lakers?
To put it simply: like a glove. Now, the glove might be worn down and has seen better days, but it’s still old reliable.
But Capela is exactly what the team is searching for at the center position. He’s made a career as a rim-rolling threat. Last season, he came in at 1.06 points per possession as a roll man, according to NBA’s advanced stats, and had an effective field goal percentage of 56% in those actions.
Even if both of those numbers are part of his overall production trending downward, it is still a solid baseline. More than that, his knowledge of running pick and rolls will make him a valuable target. There’s also a strong argument that getting a chance to run them with Luka Dončić and LeBron James will help that efficiency go up again as well.
Capela also would go some way in helping solve the Lakers’ rebounding woes last season. While he didn’t officially qualify for the leaderboards last season, his 15.8% offensive rebound percentage would have ranked second in the league, behind only Walker Kessler.
That number also has come down over recent years as he’s been a regular figurehead at the top of the league in his ability to grab teammates’ misses. His ability to finish at the rim and grab rebounds has made him a virtual walking double-double for most of his career.
Ultimately, two things are clear when looking at the stats for Capela: if he wants to play on a winning team, his best role is a backup big man and he’d be a near perfect fit in that role for the Lakers.
How much would the Lakers have to give up?
Capela is one of the few realistic options available on the free agent market. They would have to give up very little, relatively speaking, to sign him, though that might also be the problem.
Without cap room to sign Capela, the Lakers would likely have to use the taxpayer midlevel exception to sign Capela. Are they willing to use one of their only viable means to sign a free agent on a center? That dynamic might change if they trade for a center as well.
As things stand, though, the Lakers are not one center away from competing. The team needs multiple viable, legitimate big men next season. If that means using both trade assets and free agent exceptions get two of them, then so be it.
How realistic of a target is he?
This boils down to what Capela is looking for in free agency.
If it’s the most money, then the Lakers likely can’t offer that. Centers are a valued commodity on the open market and it feels likely that someone could outbid the Lakers to sign Capela.
If it’s a starting position, it’s unclear right now if the Lakers will offer that. In an ideal world, he is the backup big man for the Lakers next season. If a team is willing to offer him a starting spot, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him land elsewhere.
But if it’s a role on a contending team he’s looking for, then the Lakers are firmly in the mix. If he wants to continue his career of catching lobs from the best passers in the league, he can round out his stout resume in that regard by playing with Luka and LeBron.
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