The Los Angeles Lakers will be scouring the free agent market in hopes of finding an affordable upgrade at the center position that better fits with the franchise’s cornerstones in place, LeBron James and Luka Doncic.

The Purple and Gold’s issues on the interior were amplified during their opening round loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, as they had no answers in the paint for any of the big men thrown at them. Now, Rob Pelinka and the rest of the front office are tasked with finding an answer to that issue while still saving enough money to address the rest of the needs on the roster.

While they will certainly have plenty of competition in adding him to their roster, Jake Fischer recently reported that an Eastern Conference big man is likely headed for free agency this summer. And if he does, then the Lakers should waste no time in reaching out.

Lakers Reportedly 1 Step Closer to Solving C Issues With Clint Capela News

If Fischer is correct and the Atlanta Hawks are willing to let Clint Capela walk as a free agent this summer, he would represent the perfect fit for Los Angeles. Not only would Capela provide the Lakers with a strong defensive presence on the interior, but he is a double-double threat every time he takes the floor.

Having a player who can make that sort of impact without needing much offensive gameplanning around him is exactly what Los Angeles would want anchoring the offense and defense, as LeBron and Luka create for themselves and others on the perimeter.

There will be financial hurdles that may need to be cleared, but the Lakers have ways of clearing out space, and the opportunity to add a difference-maker on the inside, like Capela, would fit that need.

We’ll have to wait and see just what transpires over the coming weeks as Pelinka, the front office, and fans of the Purple and Gold hope for a roster that can make a deeper run at a championship in 2026.