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Los Angeles Lakers: Three options to still bring in at center

By Jason Reed

CLEVELAND, OH - FEBRUARY 3: Clint Capela #15 of the Houston Rockets tries to block LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first half at Quicken Loans Arena on February 3, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - FEBRUARY 3: Clint Capela #15 of the Houston Rockets tries to block LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first half at Quicken Loans Arena on February 3, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

3. Clint Capela

This one is a stretch but it is possible. In fact, the Houston Rockets have not had a great offseason, so I would not be surprised if the team butchers their chance of re-signing restricted free agent Clint Capela and the Lakers come in, pull off some magic and sign the young center.

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The biggest issue between Capela and the Rockets is, of course, the money. Capela reportedly wants a contract in the $100 million range, the Rockets initially offered something in the $60 million range.

The Rockets could theoretically wait Capela out, hoping that no team offers him close to what he wants and re-sign him to something far more reasonable. However, if the Lakers can get him less for $100 million but more than the Rockets are willing to pay, Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka may jump right at it.

The only problem is that the Lakers currently do not have any cap space. However, there is a solution.

This would only happen if the Lakers can agree to stretch out the contract of Luol Deng. Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report did a wonderful job explaining how the Lakers could stretch out Deng and how it would turn into just a $3.3 million cap hit this summer.

If that is the case, Los Angeles would then have roughly $15 million in practical cap space, according to Spotrac. With expiring deals next offseason, the Lakers could backload Capela’s contract and even out the last two years.

A four-year, $85 million deal would amount to $15 million this season, $22 million in 2019, $23 million in 2020 and $25 million in 2021. Of course, this is assuming the Houston Rockets do not want to match a contract that large.

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It may be unlikely, but if the Lakers think that Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram will grow into superstars, the team may want to leave the core as is and simply add a dominant center down low. Clint Capela would be that guy.

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