At this point, the Los Angeles Lakers don’t need another superstar. They need a fit at center. With LeBron James defying time, Luka Doncic holding down the fort as the face of the franchise, and Austin Reaves forming into a true star, the Lakers are missing one critical piece: a reliable, under-the-radar center who can anchor the paint.
Throughout the 2024–25 season, the Lakers have battled inconsistency in their frontcourt rotation because only Jaxson Hayes, Alex Len, and Maxi Kleber can be somewhat relied on to compete at center. No doubt, the Lakers need a capable center who can run, defend, and not require touches to stay motivated to truly create a superteam.
If Rob Pelinka can identify the right center this offseason, not a headline-grabber, but a glue guy who plugs holes and does the dirty work, this team could quietly become a juggernaut. We have a particular player in mind.
Clint Capela hits free agency this summer as his current $22,265,280 salary expires, and the Atlanta Hawks aren’t exactly in buying mode right now. Instead, they will look for young players and picks, and the Lakers could give them a deal that could net them assets without having to lose him for nothing. Let’s dive into how this could play out.
