Clippers steal $21 million center who Lakers thought they were signing to solve problem

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The Los Angeles Lakers thought they had their center position solved.

They were either going to sign Brook Lopez or Clint Capela to fill the role.

But Capela signed with the Rockets, and ESPN's Shams Charania confirmed that Lopez is instead going to the Clippers for two years and $18 million.

Lopez looks like he'll be the backup for the Clippers behind Ivica Zubac.

The Lakers could've afforded that deal. "I'm surprised," ESPN's Brian Windhorst said of the Lakers not getting a contract done with Lopez

Now what?

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It's a huge job by the Clippers to rob their same-building rival of a guy who would've been a big help to them.

Lopez remains one of the best interior defenders and 3-point shooting big men in the NBA at 7-foot-1 and 37 years old.

He's coming off a 13.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game campaign while shooting 37.3% from 3.

The Clippers should use Lopez well as a pick-and-pop big guy working with James Harden.

And now the basketball world waits to see what the Lakers do.

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