As the 2025-26 NBA season draws closer, pressure is continuing to mount for the Los Angeles Lakers.
LeBron James is entering the final stage of his career, and with rumblings of his displeasure with the front office and other executives, many believe the Lakers should be doing whatever they can to keep James happy. The easiest way to do that is by building a championship-caliber roster so he can go ring chasing one (or two) more times.
However, the other dynamic at play here is a future that revolves around Luka Doncic. A recent extension locks him in as the next face of the franchise. With Doncic in the picture, there’s reason to believe that, with a few sharp decisions, the Lakers can be competitive down the line, even after James leaves or retires. Still, pressure remains high in Los Angeles this offseason. Will Rob Pelinka and the Lakers get aggressive and push their chips in for a title run this year, or slow-play it and steadily build around Luka in his prime?
Nets Will Trade Nic Claxton to the Los Angeles Lakers
Over in the Eastern Conference, the Brooklyn Nets are in the midst of a deep rebuild. Cam Thomas is the offensive focal point of the team, but he signed a $6 million qualifying offer, signaling he may not be around for the long haul. The Nets also made an unprecedented four first-round picks this year to pair with Thomas and big man Nic Claxton. There’s plenty of young talent on the roster, but this is still a team that lacks promise or direction.
In order to continue amassing promising young players on team-friendly deals, Daniel Alameda of TWSN believes the Nets will trade Claxton to the Los Angeles Lakers for Rui Hachimura and Dalton Knecht.
“At 6’11” with a 7’2″ wingspan, Claxton brings the exact tools L.A. has lacked: elite mobility, vertical spacing, and the ability to switch defensively on the perimeter. Averaging 11.8 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game in 2024-25, Claxton has quietly become one of the league’s most versatile and impactful centers. Most importantly, Claxton would be a devastating lob threat in transition and pick-and-rolls,” wrote Alameda.
Should The Lakers Trade For Nic Claxton?
It remains to be seen if a package of Knecht and Hachimura would get this deal done, but generally, this is a trade that the Lakers should absolutely make. Alameda hits the nail right on the head. Claxton checks all the boxes of what the Lakers desperately need. He’s a legitimate rim protector on the defensive end, and he has the length to guard both on the interior and the perimeter. The Lakers were absolutely crushed in the paint during their playoff run last spring, and adding Claxton would go a long way in shoring up their defensive presence in the lane.
For the Nets, considering their current trajectory, Claxton’s greatest value likely comes as a trading chip. But for the Lakers, he can be the big man that this lineup has so desperately needed. If the Nets are entertaining offers for Claxton, Rob Pelinka should absolutely pick up the phone.
Nic Claxton Stats
Nic Claxton’s 2024-25 campaign wasn’t a banner year for him, but he still put together some strong numbers.
Here’s a closer look at what he did on the floor last season:
26.9 MPG
10.3 PPG
7.4 RPG
2.2 APG
1.4 BLK
56.3 FG%
