It seems like we are hearing that the Lakers are going to trade for someone new all year long. They are trying to make one last push for another championship while they still have Lebron and the team as it’s built likely won’t get that. Bringing in another big piece is something the Lakers need to do, especially with first time head coach J.J. Reddick now in charge. There are several players that would make sense, but this is one of the best.
The Hawks are in the midst of trying to get out of mediocrity. They moved on from the failed Dejounte Murray experiment this offseason, trading him to the Pelicans for a combination of players and picks. We have heard other names on the team on the trade block and moving one of them still makes the most sense, especially for the right package of players.
Potential Trade:
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Clint Capela
Atlanta Hawks Receive: Rui Hachimara, Jalen Hood-Schifino, Cam Reddish
Clint Capela Fit on the Lakers
Capela is exactly what the Lakers need on their team. They need a big center who can play down low and bang with the other centers in the west. His ability to rebound and play defense in the paint would be a huge bonus for the Lakers. This also allows Anthony Davis to not have to play down low and be as physical against those big guys, hopefully keeping him healthier. While Capela isn’t going to bring you a lot on offense, he is going to get you 10 rebounds a night and get you around 10 points on dunks and putbacks. He isn’t a guy that the Lakers will have to worry about gameplanning into the offense.
Speaking of the offense, Capela would allow Davis to play power forward and play in space more. Allowing Davis to be outside more will open up the offense for him and Lebron. Capela is also capable in the pick and roll, which would help keep teams on their toes when Lebron has the ball at the top of the key. Adding Capela to the Lakers could be a huge boost for that team in the twilight of Lebron’s career. Capela only has one year left on his deal, so they could extend him if it works well and if it doesn’t, they can let him walk with little issues.
Why the Hawks Do This
The Hawks are still trying to figure out who they are as a team. They traded Dejounte Murray in the offseason and Capela should be next. He only has one year left on his deal and likely won’t sign back in Atlanta. Getting what you can for him now makes the most sense.
Rui Hachimara would be an extremely solid get for the Hawks. He brings a good mix of defense, rebounding and scoring ability. Rui can slide into their starting lineup if they want to go small and run Jalen Johnson at the five, or he can come off the bench and give them an extremely strong sixth man. He is also young enough to grow with Trae Young, Jalen Johnson and the rest of that team.
Jalen Hood-Schifino may not bring them much this coming year, but he is a talented, young player who has upside for the Hawks. He is a combo guard who isn’t overly athletic, but can make plays with the ball in his hands. He has shown good vision and mid-range ability. He can be a good pick and roll ball handler in the future. Cam Reddish was a salary filler in this trade, but if the Hawks want to keep him, he could be a bench scorer for them. With Capela only having one year left on his deal, this is a solid get for the Hawks.