The Los Angeles Lakers have entered the offseason with a very clear plan of action. Given their poor performance in this year’s playoffs, exacerbating their flawed roster construction, the Purple and Gold charted out the need for a roster upgrade, starting with the addition of big men.
The Lakers are effectively devoid of centers at the moment. With Jaxson Hayes becoming a free agent, unlikely to return as per recent rumors, the Purple and Gold have no size on the roster.
A decimated frontcourt rotation doesn’t bode well for a team with title aspirations. Especially considering that they feature two immensely versatile players who can navigate the pick-and-roll in Luka Doncic and LeBron James, it is also a necessity to supplement their skills with relevant talent.
The organization has dedicated its efforts to acquire a center, having been linked in rumors to several potential big men targets on the market. The Lakers’ No. 55 pick in this year’s draft is also expected to be a big man, unless the team chooses to include it as part of a deal.
Given the team’s salary cap crunch, it is difficult to facilitate the acquisition of a center in free agency. However, the team still has the taxpayer mid-level exception, a mechanism that may trigger a hard cap on the second apron, but also allow them to sign a talented big man to strengthen their bench.
With the taxpayer MLE available to them, the team has some flexibility. And with some effective veteran big men in the free agency market, we take a look at four players the Lakers could attempt to sign.
Clint Capela
The Los Angeles Lakers have long since shown interest in acquiring Clint Capela. Coming off a relatively mediocre season with the Atlanta Hawks, Capela fits the profile for what the Purple and Gold require from their big man.
Last season, Capela played a limited role for the Hawks. Although a starter, he only averaged 21.4 minutes a game, playing a secondary role behind Hawks’ youngster Onyeka Okongwu.
Regardless, the 31-year-old showed some upside, averaging 8.9 points and 8.5 rebounds per game, boasting solid numbers under the rim and averaging 1.0 blocks per game.
Although Capela is far from being in his prime, he remains an extremely productive center when given playing time. He could be an ideal fit next to Doncic, who is known to reward his big men rolling off screens.
Capela was on a two-year, $42.8 million deal with the Hawks. Earning north of $22 million a season, the Lakers may face some challenges acquiring him with the taxpayer MLE. In this regard, the attempt may be considered optimistic.
Al Horford
Boston Celtics center Al Horford could be a tremendous addition to the Lakers’ roster, especially off the bench. The big man was one of the driving forces behind the Celtics’ title charge last season, and with championship experience, the veteran brings a lot of intangibles to the table.
Horford is an impressive prospect for the Purple and Gold. Although he is 39 years old, he remains an active force on both ends of the floor. His ability to establish himself in the post while also being able to stretch the floor with his outside shooting makes him a versatile offensive weapon. Additionally, a veteran with experience on defense is always lethal.
The Celtics’ big man averaged 9.0 points and 6.2 rebounds while shooting 36.3% from three-point range last season. Considering that he played 27.7 minutes per game, it is safe to say that these numbers are very reliable figures for a bench player.
Given Boston’s salary cap crunch and Horford’s age, it is unlikely that they will re-sign him out of free agency. However, the Lakers could make a legitimate push to acquire him to strengthen their bench.
Kevon Looney
Golden State Warriors big man Kevon Looney could be a great addition to the Lakers. With Looney heading into free agency and the likelihood of Golden State focusing on developing their younger frontcourt players, the Purple and Gold could very realistically make a push to acquire him.
Looney has been the Warriors’ most reliable interior player for the better part of his career. Setting solid screens and grabbing clutch rebounds practically became the big man’s calling card during this time.
Unfortunately, last season saw a massive shift for the Warriors’ center. A consistent reduction in playing time also meant reduced opportunities to showcase his talents. Hence, his averages of 4.5 points and 6.1 rebounds can be considered misleading since he only played 15 minutes a game.
Looney’s durability is beyond question, and his three NBA titles speak for themselves. At only 29 years old, he also has enough in the tank to be a key contributor off the bench. Although he won’t be the lob threat the Lakers need, he would certainly be a massive addition to their frontcourt depth.
Steven Adams
Houston Rockets center Steven Adams has been a trending name on the free agent market this offseason. The Rockets’ big man has garnered a lot of attention from teams around the league, and the Lakers happen to be one of them.
Adams is an ideal fit for the Purple and Gold for a variety of reasons. His innate strength and physique make him an imposing presence down low. Known for setting bone-crushing screens, the 31-year-old would help facilitate the flow of the Lakers’ offense as well.
Last season, Adams recorded an average of 3.9 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. This was primarily because he only averaged 13.7 minutes per game on Houston’s young roster. His inconsistent run-ins with injury haven’t been a positive sight either.
Although the links to Adams have been strong, recent rumors have indicated that the Rockets are keen on bringing him back for next season. While this could make things challenging for the Purple and Gold, they could benefit from attempting it all the same.
