Lakers Interested in Former NBA Rebounding Leader for Frontcourt Help: Report

The Los Angeles Lakers are interested in another Atlanta Hawks player in addition to Dejounte Murray.

The Hawks center Clint Capela is a target for four clubs, including the Lakers, according to Brett Siegel of Clutchpoints.

Clint Capela Out for Game Three in Atlanta - Sports Illustrated Atlanta  Hawks News, Analysis and More
According to sources, a number of playoff-contending clubs have already expressed interest in acquiring Capela. The Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, Houston Rockets, and Sacramento Kings have all been mentioned as potential suitors for the veteran center. Siegel wrote this on January 15.

John Hollinger of The Athletic reports that the Hawks are considering packing Murray with either Capela or De’Andre Hunter.

Onyeka Okongwu, a fourth-year big man, will become the lead in the Atlanta frontcourt thanks to a deal involving Capela. The Lakers are still unwilling to include Austin Reaves to the possible Murray trade expansion, though.

According to league sources, the Lakers have had a brief conversation about the possibility of getting both Murray and Capela from the Hawks. The Lakers have not wavered in their determination to keep the 25-year-old out of any trade talks, while Atlanta has persisted in demanding third-year guard Austin Reaves. This includes the trade discussions Los Angeles has had with clubs other than the Hawks.

Under his current contract, Capela has one more year remaining, at $22.2 million for the upcoming season. The Lakers, who rank 22nd in rebounding, will undoubtedly benefit from the presence of the Swedish big man, who led the league in rebounds in 2021.

As Anthony Davis’ backup, Capela, who is averaging 11.3 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks this season, would be a major improvement over Christian Wood and Jaxson Hayes. Alternatively, he might start at center and move Davis to power forward, where he is more at ease.

Losing to Jazz, Anthony Davis Owns the Lakers
Even though he recorded his first triple-double of the year, Davis accepted responsibility for the Lakers’ January 13 defeat by the hot-shooting Utah Jazz, 132–125.

“Everyone but me completed their tasks. In the locker room, Davis told reporters, “I didn’t do my job.” Bron is obviously out of it. Except for me, those guys stepped up when it was time for them to. I’m on my own, then.

In an attempt to halt Davis, the Jazz concentrated their defense on LeBron James (ankle). The big man for the Lakers finished with 15 points, 15 rebounds, 11 assists, and four blocks while missing 16 of his 21 attempts.

Max Christie Is Well-liked Throughout the League
The Lakers have a talent for spotting overlooked draft picks who grow into NBA players capable of starting at the starting position.

Max Christie is poised to take the place of Alex Caruso and Austin Reaves as the next great leader.

The second-year guard’s strong play following the Lakers’ injuries is creating trade talk.

Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times wrote on January 13 that “Max Christie, the second-year guard who has played his way into the rotation, has value and fans around the league, but his restricted free agency this summer suppresses some of his worth.”

Christie would be an accessory in any kind of agreement, Woike added swiftly.

Since the calendar turned to 2024, the 22-year-old unheralded guard is averaging 7.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.5 assists. He played the last minutes of the Lakers’ six-game winning streak and scored 14 points twice.

Alder Almo writes about basketball for Heavy, covering the Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, and New York Knicks. He has worked in print, television, and digital media for more than 15 years, both domestically and internationally. In the past, he covered the NBA for Off the Glass and the Knicks for Empire Sports Media. Alder currently resides in Jersey City, New Jersey, but he was born in the Philippines. Details regarding Alder Almo

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