Trade Proposal Sends Hawks’ Clint Capela To Lakers

One NBA analyst proposed that the Los Angeles Lakers acquire Clint Capela from the Atlanta Hawks. 

Ishaan Bhattacharya of Fadeaway World proposed the following mock trade between the Lakers and Hawks:

Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Clint Capela

Atlanta Hawks Receive: Jarred Vanderbilt, Gabe Vincent, 2027 Second-Round Pick (LAL)

According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Hawks are trying to trade Capela, who will make $22.3 million next season in the final year of his contract.

New Lakers head coach JJ Redick said on Sirus XM NBA Radio that LA is looking to add a center. 

Capela averaged 11.5 points, 10.6 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.6 steals and 1.5 blocks in 2023-24 for the Hawks while shooting 57.1% from the field and 63.1% from the free-throw line. He had 38 double-doubles. 

Capela has career averages of 12.3 points, 10.7 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 0.7 steals and 1.5 blocks with the Houston Rockets and Hawks. He was the 25th overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft.

The Lakers could start D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Capela if Los Angeles’ front office figured out a way to acquire Capela from Atlanta. 

The Lakers went 47-35 in 2023-24. They lost to the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs in five games.

Denver also beat LA in the 2023 Western Conference Finals in four games. 

One of the top shooters in NBA history, Redick signed a four-year deal worth in the neighborhood of $8 million per season with the Lakers, who fired Darvin Ham after two seasons.

According to NBA insiders Shams Charania, Jovan Buha and Sam Amick of The Athletic, Redick is focused on elevating Davis’ involvement and alleviating LeBron’s workload.

LeBron, 39, is the oldest player in the NBA. He turns 40 in December. 

“He explained his decision-making process when it comes to strategy, how the analysis and empirical evidence would always guide his choices rather than preconceived notions or outdated beliefs,” Charania, Buha and Amick wrote. “Redick described a system molded around this roster, focusing on elevating Davis’ involvement, particularly late in games, and alleviating the constant ballhandling duties on James by utilizing him more off the ball. Keeping James, who turns 40 in December, fresh down the stretch of the regular season and into the playoffs will be critical.”