When it comes to what the Los Angeles Lakers need to actually win a title, it appears that what Anthony Davis was asking for was correct: a reliable big man.
Davis took on the role as the team’s center, but was very public about his preference to play power forward and the need for the team to trade or sign a true center. So much so that the Lakers ultimately shipped Davis off to Dallas in the blockbuster that brought Luka Doncic to Los Angeles.
Now let’s not get it twisted. This trade was a home run. Luka Doncic will be the face of the Lakers for the next decade plus. However, it did not solve their problem of not having a true big man. In fact, it actually exposed it more, as was evident in the first round of the NBA Playoffs, where they were bounced by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Lakers have plenty of questions that they will have to answer this offseason. Will LeBron James be back, or will he opt out and finish his career elsewhere? What is to be done with Austin Reeves, and will he get a massive extension?
But the biggest one will revolve around the center position.
Wild Trade Idea That Sends Nic Claxton To Los Angeles Lakers
Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints proposed a wild trade idea that would send Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton to the Lakers in a 3-team trade.
Here are the full trade terms:
- Los Angeles Lakers Receive: C Nic Claxton
- Brooklyn Nets Receive: F/C Maxi Kleber, F Simone Fontecchio, C Paul Reed (via sign-and-trade with DET), LAL/DET/BKN 2028 1st-round pick (More favorable of LAL/DET to BKN, second-most favorable to DET, least favorable to LAL), LAL 1st-round pick(Top-5 Protected), MIL 2027 2nd-round pick (via DET), BKN/DAL 2027 2nd-round pick (via DET, least favorable of BKN/DAL).
- Detroit Pistons Receive: F Rui Hachimura
So, essentially, the Lakers give up Rui Hachimura, Maxi Kleber, and a few future draft picks in exchange for Nic Claxton.
If you remember, after the trade heard round the world, Rob Pelinka then shipped guard Dalton Knecht and draft picks to Charlotte for center Mark Williams. The Lakers ended up voiding the trade due to a failed physical, leaving them without a viable center as they made a playoff run.
Claxton averaged 10.2 points per game and 7.4 rebounds this past season. He is just 26 years old and was the Nets’ 31st overall selection back in the 2019 NBA Draft.
Also Read: Los Angeles Lakers Face $89 Million Dilemma: Extend Or Trade
He is a great rim protector and would pair nicely with Luka Doncic in the offensive zone. In terms of the trade, Siegel writes:
“Although he has played well since coming to the Lakers during the 2022-23 season, Hachimura’s expiring $18.2 million contract would be vital to pulling off a trade for Claxton. While it seems like he would be going to Brooklyn in this scenario, which he could since his contract is only for one year, the Nets would likely look to get another team involved for extra draft assets.
Could a team like the Detroit Pistons have interest in one year of Hachimura? After all, the Pistons gave the New York Knicks a run for their money in the first round of the playoffs and have displayed clear growth.
Detroit could use a little extra depth at the forward spots, and Hachimura presents the ability to have a stretch power forward play alongside Tobias Harris, who could move to where he is more comfortable at small forward in some rotations.”
It is an interesting scenario, and one that the Lakers could actually pull off.
While everyone has their eyes on Giannis Antetokounmpo, and if he becomes available via trade, a trade for someone like Claxton is much more realistic with the assets that the Lakers have.
Thoughts, Laker Nation? Comment below!