NBA Fact and Fiction: Lakers want Kyrie, Rockets have a taker for Capela?

With so many moves and rumors swirling already ahead of the start of free agency, we'll spend most weekdays now breaking down the latest developments on that front mixed in with BSJ Analysis. This will hopefully help you sort through the fact and fiction of all the latest big news and rumors while getting a Celtics spin on things to help measure any impact on Boston's plans. 

Kyrie looking West?

After clearing out the rest of the expendable pieces on their roster on Thursday night by dumping three inexperienced players to the Wizards, the Lakers are set to have nearly max cap room for a third player when free agency opens up on Sunday night. Kawhi Leonard will be their top priority according to ESPN, but Marc Stein of the New York Times indicates that they will also be making a strong push for Irving. The Nets are still the heavy favorites to sign him, but it will be a fascinating domino to see how they proceed in Brooklyn if Kevin Durant ends up back in Golden State. Bringing aboard Irving with no promise of a co-star may have both sides considering other options.

Klay Thompson is expected to be offered a five-year max deal according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.com

Even with his torn ACL injury, this is a slam dunk deal for Golden State. The Warriors got very lucky that he did not make an All-NBA team, which could have allowed him to demand a super max deal or close to it. Given the tax bill, the Warriors would have faced in this instance, negotiations could have become dicey. Now? A regular max makes it an easy choice for all sides.

The Rockets have a landing spot for Clint Capela if they manage to land Jimmy Butler in a sign-and-trade

This report from Marc Stein of the New York Times is worth watching from Boston's perspective since they have been linked with Capela in trade rumors for several weeks. However, there does not appear to be a direct route to land Capela in a trade and also Walker without significant matching salary also being sent out. Boston would not be a match in that situation since Walker will be taking up nearly all of their cap room. Look for some other team (perhaps the Pelicans or Kings?) that has lots of cap room to spare and wouldn't mind landing some assets on a discount.

Harrison Barnes has a four-year deal waiting for him according to a report from Dave Carmichael out of Sacramento

That contract (22 million annually) will still leave the Kings with a huge chunk of cap room (nearly $40 million) to throw at a big man. Al Horford is surely one big on their radar along with Nikola Vucevic. It will be fascinating to see whether they can sell a chance at competing with that young core on Horford.

Celtics will guarantee Semi Ojeleye's contract according to a league source

The next step for the Celtics to figure out is whether they want to extend qualifying offers to any of their potential restricted free agents (Terry Rozier, Daniel Theis, Brad Wanamaker). If they do not, that signals Kemba Walker will be signed with cap room right away. Theis can be kept as a cap hold with enough room still remaining for Walker to sign so whether he has any intention on coming back should be seen in some form on Saturday. The team could certainly use him at the center capacity at another modest deal if he's interested in staying stateside.