Lakers predicted to trade Jaden Hardy for $137M elite rim runner to pair with Luka Doncic

The Los Angeles Lakers will have an almost entirely new-look team next season, with a largely revamped starting lineup and a bench that looks completely different. However, Los Angeles still has some holes to fill before the season begins.

The Lakers traded for big man Walker Kessler and signed Kevon Looney this offseason. However, relying on Looney as the primary backup center could be a concern for Los Angeles.

“This signing was a gamble. Loon was a replacement-level player last season. The Lakers clearly believe he will be better, but they need another option. Going into the season with just two true centers is a problem. If Kessler is forced to miss time, the Lakers have serious issues on defense and at the five," Lake Show Life’s Tyler Watts wrote.

With that in mind, the Lakers have continued to monitor the market for another big man. There appears to be significant interest in adding another option before the season begins.

“The Lakers are still monitoring the market for big men, team sources told The Athletic," The Athletic's Dan Woike reported. "They traded for Walker Kessler and signed Kevon Looney to play center, and Mamukelashvili can play the position, too. The team could address the position either by trade or signing, like with potentially adding Thybulle. The roster is currently at full capacity."

Lake Show Life’s Svyatoslav Rovenchuk believes Los Angeles could trade Jaden Hardy for Houston Rockets center Clint Capela.

“The money on someone like Jaden Hardy matches up easily with Capela's $7 million. That trade would be doable tomorrow, if both sides wanted it. Granted, there might be some level of discussion around draft capital that is warranted there. $7 million for a third-string center is an expensive insurance policy to keep around behind Alperen Sengun and Adams. If the Rockets believe in the health of the latter being recouped and recovered, there is sense to exploring what Capela could be worth,” Rovenchuk wrote.

This would be a relatively simple one-for-one deal for both teams if they decided to pursue it. When Capela is at his best, he attacks the rim and finishes above the rim, which is exactly the type of big man Luka Doncic loves to play with.

Capela has made $137 million throughout his career so far. The Lakers are in major need of a reliable backup big man, and this deal would give them exactly that. It would also give Doncic two valuable centers to run the pick-and-roll game with, providing him with a reliable lob threat on the floor at all times.

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