The Los Angeles Lakers will head into the NBA offseason with one big priority: finding a center to help bolster the team's size, as it was a revealing problem in this past postseason.
Los Angeles struggled to keep up with the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the playoffs, largely due to the size advantage of Rudy Gobert and Naz Reid.
The Lakers made minimal use of their tallest player, Jaxson Hayes, which contributed to Minnesota's 4-1 series win.
As the Lakers look toward the NBA offseason, one of their main targets in free agency will be the center position.
Los Angeles Lakers forward Dorian Finney-Smith reacts after being called for a foul as forward LeBron James looks on during Game 5 of their team's first-round playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena on April 30, 2025.
Los Angeles Lakers forward Dorian Finney-Smith reacts after being called for a foul as forward LeBron James looks on during Game 5 of their team's first-round playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena on April 30, 2025.
Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Clint Capela emerges as target for Los Angeles Lakers in free agency
The free agent market seems scarce for big men, but there are plenty of options for the Lakers to work with.
One name that has begun to fill rumors within the league is Clint Capela.
"Clint Capela is considered within reach at $5.7 million and, as such, is expected to sit pretty high on the Lakers’ target board," Lakers insider Anthony Irwin reported.
It seems that Capela could be one option for Los Angeles this summer, but there has been speculation that the Lakers could go after Steven Adams, Myles Turner, or even Naz Reid.
Reid and Turner will be looking for higher paying contracts, though, so Adams or Capela could be a more budget-worthy opportunity.
Both nearing the back end of their careers, Clint Capela and Steven Adams enter free agency at 31 years old. Capela averaged 8.9 PTS, 8.5 REB, and 1.0 BLK per game, while Adams posted 3.9 PTS, 5.6 REB, and 0.5 BLK in limited minutes during the 2024-25 season.
There's no certainty in the Lakers landing a center this offseason, but these free agents could be a few options that could end up signing with Los Angeles for the 2024-25 season.