As the Los Angeles Lakers dive into a pivotal offseason, bolstering the frontcourt has become one of their top priorities. According to Dan Woike, the Lakers are showing strong interest in three centers: Brook Lopez, Clint Capela, and Deandre Ayton, each presenting a different age profile, skillset, and ceiling.
With Dorian Finney-Smith expected to leave in free agency and sign a multi-year deal with the Houston Rockets, the Lakers are shifting their offseason focus to the center position and doing so aggressively.
The Lakers are armed with a $14.1 million mid-level exception and minimal trade assets, so they are walking a delicate balance of staying competitive now without compromising their long-term flexibility.
Following LeBron James’ decision to opt into the final year of his contract, Los Angeles is motivated to improve the roster and contend this season, all while staying financially nimble enough to make a major swing for a solid team in 2026.
Of the three targets, Brook Lopez brings the most veteran leadership and spacing ability. At 37 years old, he averaged 13.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game while shooting 50.9% from the field and 37.3% from beyond the arc.
Despite his age, Lopez remains one of the best stretch bigs in the NBA and a reliable rim protector. However, he is not expected to return to Milwaukee, and multiple contenders, including the Lakers should be in play for his services. If the Lakers can land him on a veteran minimum or partial MLE deal, it would be a major value move, but that’s a big if.
Clint Capela, 31, has also emerged as a potential addition. Once an athletic force in Houston, Capela has since become a steady, if less explosive, presence in Atlanta. He averaged 8.9 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks last season while shooting 55.9% from the field.
The Hawks are expected to part ways with Capela as they reshape their roster around younger talent, and his trade value has declined. For the Lakers, he presents a traditional rebounding-and-defense anchor, though he offers little spacing and has limited offensive versatility.
Then there’s the wildcard: Deandre Ayton. Recently bought out by the Portland Trail Blazers, Ayton is only 26 years old and averaged 14.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks per game on 56.6% shooting. On paper, Ayton offers the best long-term upside, especially as a potential frontcourt partner for Luka Doncic moving forward.
Yet, concerns about his motor, effort, and consistency persist. Multiple analysts have questioned his fit in high-stakes environments, especially on a team where expectations and scrutiny are sky-high.
NBA insider Ric Bucher noted that the Lakers were reportedly meeting with both Lopez and Capela early in free agency, while also keeping tabs on Ayton.
“Lakers fans: your team supposedly is meeting w/Brook Lopez & Clint Capela today but also have interest in DeAndre Ayton. Who do you want to see in purple&gold?”
Ideally, Los Angeles would love to secure two out of the three, perhaps using the full MLE on Ayton and hoping to land Lopez on a discount. But given Lopez’s value and Ayton’s youth, that scenario might be unrealistic.
Still, the Lakers are determined to shore up their center position, particularly after losing Dorian Finney-Smith. Whether it’s a seasoned shot blocker, a lob-finisher, or a potential reclamation project, the Lakers know their window with LeBron is closing and the clock is ticking.
