The Los Angeles Lakers want to get a good starting center this offseason. One of their primary targets is Nic Claxton from the Brooklyn Nets. A report says the Lakers might trade rookie Dalton Knetch, Forward Rui Hachimura, and a 2025 second-round draft pick to Brooklyn for Claxton.
This move would help the Lakers as their current backup center, Jaxson Hayes, is not considered a reliable starter. Claxton is a good defender, protects the rim, and plays consistently. This season, he averaged 10.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, and blocked 1.4 shots per game while opponents didn’t shoot well against him. His team’s friendly contract lasts three more years, with his salary decreasing each season, which is ideal for a team like the Lakers that doesn’t have much room under the salary cap.
Los Angeles Lakers Are Exploring All Options To Fill the Starting Center Role
While Nic Claxton leads the list of potential additions via trade, the Lakers are also looking at other options to improve their center position. Daniel Gafford from the Dallas Mavericks could be another trade target. In free agency, older players like Steven Adams and Clint Capela are possibilities, but they are not as promising as Claxton.
If the Lakers want to focus on younger players, they might look at the draft. Prospects like Rocco Zikarsky, with good height and UConn’s Samson, could provide long-term upside but probably wouldn’t help the team move in the right direction.
According to Greg Swartz from Bleacher Report, everyone knows the Lakers need a better starting center. This urgency indicates they want to win now while Lebrin James is still playing at a high level. Trading a talented young scorer like Knetch remains a difficult decision, but the Lakers are ready to make short-term sacrifices to try to make a deep playoff run again.
Whether they make a trade, sign a free agent, or draft someone, the Lakers’ front office is making it clear that getting a center is not optional but essential.