Average 5 points but an annual salary of 20 million yuan? The Lakers should not compete with the Warriors, it is better to sign Capela than to sign him

It is no secret that the Lakers want to introduce high-quality inside players during the offseason, but due to limited chips in hand, the Lakers currently prefer to give priority to Taobao in the free market. Based on this concept, according to reporter Jovan Buha, the Lakers are expected to allow Jamison Koloko to stay with the team next season. Jamison will still have a two-way contract with the Lakers next season. Kolko's contract expires this summer. The Lakers can use another two-way contract to keep him. To put it bluntly, the Lakers may be able to make trade reinforcements in the offseason, so they will first use Jamison and Kroko's inside line in the new season.

Of course, the Lakers are still trying hard to sign a starting center. After Adams renewed his contract with the Rockets, the Lakers have set their sights on Bucks center Lopez. According to US media Clutch Points, the Bucks will not only consider Antetokounmpo's future this summer, but also decide whether to stay and stay for veteran Lopez. According to source Jake Fischer, the Lakers will be a strong suitor in Lopez's free market, who value their offensive adaptability and locker room leadership. At the same time, according to ESPN reporter Bobby Marks, the Warriors also showed interest in Lopez. The feud between the Lakers and the Warriors next season may start with the offseason competition for Lopez.

But I personally believe that the Lakers should not pursue Lopez, or they should not pursue Lopez at a big price. In the regular season this season, Lopez averaged 13 points, 5 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.9 blocks per game, with a shooting percentage of 50.9%, and a three-point shooting percentage of 37.3%. Even if he is an inside player above average, and his height and size are sufficient, he is still online, but he is about to be 38 years old next season, and he has considerable health risks. Although he is healthy enough this season, the center position is quite special, and the senior insider itself is a high risk. What's more, Lopez's performance in this playoffs is hard to believe that he can help the Lakers in the playoffs.

This year's playoffs, Lopez played 5 games and averaged only 5 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1 block per game. Moreover, from the perspective of the style of play, the only useful thing about Lopez is that he has a certain three-point threat. If he retreats at the same time, he can protect the frame. But the problem is that the Lakers need an inside line that can play pick-and-roll with James and Doncic. But Lopez is not good at this now. On the one hand, his athletic ability is insufficient. On the other hand, his pick-and-roll are almost fake pick-and-rolls, which cannot be held. This not only means that he cannot cooperate with Doncic to frequently eat cakes, but may also be named by the small defender on the defensive end. Of course, if you can sign Lopez with a basic salary, these problems are not a problem, but the biggest problem is that Lopez seems to want to seek an annual salary of tens of millions. According to The Athletic, Lopez may seek a $21.5 million contract this summer. He is 38 years old next season and the Lakers are still the biggest suitor. He may become another active player over 37 years old with an annual salary of 20 million or above after James, Curry and Durant. If this news is true, then I think the Lakers should not compete with the Warriors for Lopez. Lopez with 2 million can still be said to be really good. Lopez with 20 million is nothing. The Lakers have suffered losses from many veterans in the inside in recent years. Gasol, who was signed in 2021, is the best example. Gasol was actually very suitable for the Lakers at that time, especially the defensive end, which has helped the Lakers a lot, but he is really too old, with constant injuries and can't play for long. Lopez is almost 38 years old now, and it is not worth signing him at a high cost.

From this perspective, I think if the Lakers want to sign Lopez with a middle class or above contract, it is better to sign Capela. Capela is only 31 years old, younger, has stronger ability to eat cakes, and is also at the elite level. The only problem is that he has been a bit bad in recent years and has a serious decline. But if he can regain his passion in the Lakers, then I think Capela may become the biggest surprise of the Lakers in the new season. At least Capela looks more reassuring than Lopez.