The Los Angeles Lakers will likely leave no stone unturned in their quest to upgrade at the center position this summer. In addition to turning to the trade market for help, they could also possibly find a serviceable center in free agency.Unless LeBron James unexpectedly opts out of his contract and signs a new one while taking a reasonable pay cut, the Lakers will only have the taxpayer mid-level exception of roughly $5.7 million to use, other than the veteran’s minimum salary, to offer prospective free agents. One insider said that Clint Capela of the Atlanta Hawks is “expected to sit pretty high” on L.A.’s list of players to go after.According to Jake Fischer, another insider, Capela is expected to leave Atlanta this summer.
“Rival teams have projected the Hawks as targeting big men with whatever draft slots they ultimately operate from,” wrote Fischer. “After years of dangling Clint Capela on the trade block, Capela is finally expected to depart Atlanta via free agency this season, sources say. So the Hawks appear poised to have an opening for a center.”The Hawks have been trying to overcome mediocrity for some time now. In seven seasons with four-time All-Star guard Trae Young, they have made the playoffs just three times and made it past the first round only once.
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This season, they finished with a 40-42 record, putting them in eighth place in the Eastern Conference, and they lost both of their play-in tournament games to the Orlando Magic and Miami HeatCapela, who recently turned 31 years of age, may not be as athletic as he was several years ago. But he is still a solid lob threat and shot-blocker, and he averaged 8.9 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.0 blocks in 21.4 minutes a game while shooting 55.9% from the field.
