The Los Angeles Lakers made waves at last season’s trade deadline when they pulled off a blockbuster move to land Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks - a franchise-altering swing that reshaped the team's trajectory. Fast forward to this season, and while the Lakers aren’t expected to chase a deal of that magnitude again, they’re still keeping their phones on and their options open.
One name that’s surfaced on their radar? Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton.
Claxton, now in his seventh NBA season, is quietly putting together one of the most well-rounded campaigns of his career. He’s averaging 12.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.4 blocks per game while shooting an efficient 58.3% from the field.
That kind of production - especially the assist numbers from a big - speaks to the evolution of his game. He’s not just a rim-runner anymore; he’s facilitating, protecting the paint, and finishing at a high clip.
For the Lakers, the appeal is clear. Claxton could bring a dynamic presence to their frontcourt rotation, potentially forming a versatile one-two punch at center alongside Deandre Ayton.
That pairing would offer a mix of mobility, rim protection, and interior scoring. Meanwhile, Jaxson Hayes - who’s had flashes this season - might see his minutes dip if Claxton were to join the fold.
But there’s a real financial hurdle here. The Lakers are brushing up against the NBA’s first apron, with less than $1 million in cap space before hitting that threshold.
Claxton is on a four-year, $97 million deal that runs through the 2027-28 season. So making room for that kind of contract won’t be as simple as moving a few bench pieces - it would require some real maneuvering.
That’s where trade assets come into play. Rumors have floated names like Jarred Vanderbilt, Gabe Vincent, and Maxi Kleber as potential outgoing pieces in a Claxton deal.
Rookie Dalton Knecht has also been mentioned as a possible sweetener. And if the Lakers are serious about making a move, they may have to dip into their limited stash of first-round picks - a valuable commodity for a team trying to balance win-now urgency with long-term sustainability.
Bottom line: while this isn’t another Luka-sized splash, pursuing Claxton would be a strategic move - one that could shore up the Lakers’ interior defense and bring a different dimension to their rotation. The question is whether they’re willing to pay the price, both in assets and luxury tax implications. The clock’s ticking toward the trade deadline, and as always in L.A., the stakes are high.