Fresh update: Lakers Acquire A Bruising Center In a $64m Trade With Hawks

The Los Angeles Lakers have confirmed their interest in adding a center next to Anthony Davis for the 2024-25 NBA season, with new head coach JJ Redick making this desire public while speaking to the media. Unfortunately, the Lakers haven’t been able to acquire targets such as Jonas Valuncuinas with the free-agent center market drying up very quickly this summer.

The Lakers will have to look at trade routes to add a body to their center rotation, with neither Jaxson Hayes nor Christian Wood good enough to play a major role in the rotation next season for a team with winning hopes. As a result, they could speak to the Atlanta Hawks and acquire a veteran they’ve been trying to dump.

Atlanta Hawks Receive: Jarred Vanderbilt, Gabe Vincent, 2027 Second-Round Pick (LAL)The Hawks finally open up a starting center spot for Onyeka Okongwu while acquiring an intriguing defensive piece like Jarred Vanderbilt, who can make up for the major defensive limitations the Hawks have been unable to work through. Meanwhile, the Lakers not only add Capela but also free up a roster spot.

The Lakers Hit Two Birds With One StoneThe Lakers have worked tirelessly this summer to try and create roster spots to acquire free agents, failing in that process due to nobody wanting the Lakers’ end-of-rotation pieces such as Wood, Hayes, or Cam Reddish.

Releasing them will keep their salaries on the Lakers’ salary cap, which will hurt the team as they look to further build their roster for a title push this season. Acquiring Capela not only fulfills their need for a center but also opens up a roster spot for a new signing.

Capela averaged 11.5 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks last season, with the once explosive lob threat and rim protector starting to decline as he gets older. He’s still a solid starting center who’ll rebound at a high clip and create a frontcourt with Anthony Davis where opposing teams don’t even attempt driving to the rim. The Hawks have been trying to move off Capela, so this deal should be far easier to execute for the Lakers