Latest news with #ClintCapela
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Key Celtics Vet Predicted to Bolt Boston for Hawks
Key Celtics Vet Predicted to Bolt Boston for Hawks originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Atlanta Hawks could start to surround their young talent with reliable veteran players in free agency. The Hawks have a bright future with Zaccharie Risacher, Jalen Johnson and Dyson Daniels. Additionally, they have an All-Star guard, Trae Young, at the helm, who could elevate their game. Advertisement Making moves to surround their young talent could be the right approach this summer. One of the Hawks' major concerns for their roster is their frontcourt depth. There have been conversations that veteran big man Clint Capela will sign with a different organization as an unrestricted free agent. Atlanta has also shown a preference for Onyeka Okongwu as their starting center for the future. This means the Hawks are targeting a veteran big man who could provide help on both ends of the floor. Boston Celtics center Luke Kornet and center Al Horford walk off the court during a Dedmon-Imagn Images Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report recently released his free agency predictions. Pincus linked the Hawks to veteran big man Luke Kornet. Kornet is set to be a free agent this summer following his one-year, $2.8 million contract with the Boston Celtics. Advertisement Pincus explained that his defense could entice Atlanta to add him to the young roster. "Kornet may not be a starter, but he's shown throughout the last few years that he's a viable rotation center who can provide a defensive presence. That might be enough for a team to pay more than Boston can or will, especially with the Celtics facing massive repeater taxes, in a year when Tatum (Achilles) is unlikely to suit up," Pincus wrote. According to Pincus, the bi-annual exception of $5.1 million could be enough to snatch him away from Boston. Last season, Kornet appeared in 73 games and averaged six points, 5.3 rebounds and a block. In the playoffs, the 7-foot-2 center had 4.5 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.2 blocks. In Game 5 against the New York Knicks in the second round of the postseason, he had 10 points, nine rebounds and seven blocks in 25 minutes. His performance on both ends of the floor helped the Celtics to secure a 127-102 victory. Related: Trae Young News Emerges on Friday Amid NBA Trade Rumors This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 21, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lakers Predicted to Land $45 Million Big Man
Lakers Predicted to Land $45 Million Big Man originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Los Angeles Lakers are in the market for an upgrade at center as the franchise aims to to solidify their frontcourt depth around LeBron James and Luka Doncic. Bleacher Report's Eric Pincus predicts an interesting name will be headed to Hollywood. Advertisement The Lakers have been linked to a bevy of big men in ongoing NBA rumors ahead of free agency. With the Atlanta Hawks benching Clint Capela in favor of Onyeka Okongwu, the veteran appears primed for a change of scenery. "Capela, 31, has probably aged out of his stay in Atlanta. Onyeka Okongwu and others will fill that spot, leaving the veteran rebounder and shot-blocker to find a new home." Pincus wrote on Wednesday. "He should expect a decrease in pay, but he may be one of the top available bigs on the market. He's not much of a scorer, and his efficiency at the rim has dropped from 65.3 percent from the field in 2022-3 to 55.9 percent," Pincus added. "Still, he might provide a team with double-double production as a 24-minute starter, sharing minutes on a playoff-capable team," he added. Los Angeles Lakers head coach J.J. Reddick coaches against the New York Knicks.© Brad Penner-Imagn Images Internally, the Lakers face a salary cap squeeze, lacking true free-agent space. They've earmarked the taxpayer mid-level exception (~$5.7 million) and have more than $70 million tied up in expiring contracts and locked-in stars like James ($52.6 million) and Doncic ($46.0 million). Advertisement Capela was on a two-year, $45 million contract with the Hawks but will now be a free agent. Pincus predicts the Lakers can land Capela on the $5.7 million taxpayer mid-level exception, a bargain compared to his previous deal. The big man would immediately address Los Angeles' lack of interior defense and rebounding. During his five seasons in Atlanta, Capela averaged 11.8 points, 7.3 rebounds and one block per game. In particular, Capela thrived in pick-and-roll situations alongside Trae Young. Related: Stephen A. Smith Labels Caitlin Clark an Instigator After Recent WNBA Fights This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lakers Predicted to Sign 31-Year-Old Center This Offseason
Lakers Predicted to Sign 31-Year-Old Center This Offseason originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Los Angeles Lakers need to acquire a center this offseason for All-Stars Luka Doncic and LeBron James after trading Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Doncic in February. Advertisement Lakers head coach JJ Redick started Jaxson Hayes at center after the Davis-Doncic trade. However, the Duke product benched the former New Orleans Pelicans big man in the second half of Game 4 against the Minnesota Timberwolves and the whole of Game 5. The Lakers lost to the Timberwolves in the first round of the 2025 playoffs in five games. During his end-of-the-season press conference, Rob Pelinka told local reporters that he would try acquiring a center this offseason, and one NBA analyst predicts that the Lakers will sign a 31-year-old veteran in free agency. The Lakers have been predicted to sign Clint Capela this summer. © Jerome Miron-Imagn Images Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report predicted the Lakers will sign Atlanta Hawks big man Clint Capela, who will become an unrestricted free agent this offseason. Advertisement Capela is not expected to return to the Hawks. "Prediction: Capela may be a stopgap for the Los Angeles Lakers via the TMLE (Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception)," Pincus wrote. Capela played in 55 games for Atlanta this season. He averaged 8.9 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per game while shooting 55.9% from the field and 53.6% from the free-throw line. Doncic and James are two of the best passers in the NBA. Capela, who has thrived playing with James Harden and Trae Young, would likely get easy baskets at the rim all season playing with Doncic and James on the Lakers. Capela has played for the Houston Rockets and Hawks. He has career averages of 12.0 points, 10.5 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 664 NBA games. Related: LeBron James Breaks Down JJ Redick's Rookie Season as Lakers Head Coach This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 18, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
4 Players The Lakers Could Sign Using Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception
4 Players The Lakers Could Sign Using Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception originally appeared on Fadeaway World. 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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 Mar 25, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Clint Capela (15) grabs a rebound against the Indiana Pacers in the first quarter at State Farm Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images 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. Advertisement 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 May 7, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics center Al Horford (42) returns up court against the New York Knicks in the fourth quarter during game two of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images 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. Advertisement 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 Dec 8, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevon Looney (5) drives to the basket against Minnesota Timberwolves forward-center Julius Randle (30) in the fourth period at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images Mandatory Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images 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. Advertisement 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 Jan 30, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Houston Rockets center Steven Adams (12) boxes out Memphis Grizzlies center Zach Edey (14) during the second quarter at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images 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. Advertisement 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. Related: NBA Insider Lists Potential 'Under-The-Radar' Free Agents For The Lakers This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jun 12, 2025, where it first appeared.
Newsweek
17-06-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
Lakers Set to Aggressively Target New Center This Offseason
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The 2025 NBA offseason is set to be one for the books. There has already been much movement, and the offseason has not yet begun. The NBA Finals are still underway, and while that is the case, it appears that everyone is looking forward to this much-anticipated offseason. At the forefront of it will be the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers have plenty to address this offseason, but shoring up the center spot tops the list. The lack of consistency and production from that position was one of the major flaws that hurt them during their playoff run. Expect Los Angeles to be aggressive in its search for a reliable big. According to ClutchPoints' Lakers insider Anthony Irwin, the team has already expressed interest in several centers as they gear up for what's expected to be a busy summer. Walker Kessler #24 of the Utah Jazz drives into Clint Capela #15 of the Atlanta Hawks during the first half of a game at Vivint Arena on February 03, 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah.... Walker Kessler #24 of the Utah Jazz drives into Clint Capela #15 of the Atlanta Hawks during the first half of a game at Vivint Arena on February 03, 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah. More Photo by"Sources close to the team reiterated that the internal plan is to trade for their starting center – sources say they've held conversations with other teams about Nic Claxton, Robert Williams, Walker Kessler and others – then, ideally, use the taxpayer midlevel on his backup – Brook Lopez and Clint Capela are the two names most often linked to the Lakers. It's a solid plan that they're considered likely to be able to execute. But, because of their clear and desperate need at the position, such an approach is going to be a lot more complicated than it would've been had they not neglected the position the past couple of seasons," wrote Irwin. Arguably, the most intriguing name on the Lakers' radar is Utah Jazz big man Walker Kessler. At just 23 years old, Kessler has the makings of a long-term anchor in the middle and would be an ideal complement next to Luka Doncic moving forward. He's young, highly skilled, and still developing — which makes him all the more valuable. The Jazz may listen to offers this offseason, but there's a sense they could be hesitant to deal him, especially to a Western Conference rival like the Lakers. That said, don't expect L.A. to back down from making a strong push. The others on the list would be of massive help and a huge upgrade. Nic Claxton is another player who fits the mold of succeeding next to Doncic, as he is a rim runner and extremely athletic. Robert Williams also fits that mold and is arguably the best defender and shot blocker from this current crop of big men. As for Clint Capela and Brook Lopez, they may be on the older side, but they will certainly be an upgrade compared to what the Lakers had in the second half of the season. More NBA news: LeBron James Reveals Plan for 2028 LA Olympics Bucks' Doc Rivers Offers Major Update on Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Rumors For more on Los Angeles Lakers and general NBA news, head on over to Newsweek Sports.
