Rob Pelinka could be in a position to quietly engineer what could be the offseason’s boldest three-team pivot, one that quietly addresses glaring needs while preserving future flexibility. Imagine the Los Angeles Lakers entering next season with a defensive pillar in the paint alongside a versatile wing to shore up perimeter rotations.
The Brooklyn Nets, in turn, gain flexibility and veteran depth. And the Minnesota Timberwolves, often overlooked, land a trusted veteran to help close out the playoff series. Without giving too much away: one team parts with a young center who excels on the lob, another with a gritty wing who’s deadly from distance, and the Lakers land both.
At its heart, it's not just a trade; it's a statement about where Los Angeles sees itself next season, and beyond. Let's go through this trade idea.
Proposed Trade Details
Los Angeles Lakers Receive Lakers: Nic Claxton, Nickeil Alexander-Walker (Sign-and-Trade)
Brooklyn Nets Receive: Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, 2031 first-round pick (LAL)
Minnesota Timberwolves: Dorian Finney-Smith (Sign-and-Trade)
Lakers Land Two Win‑Now Pieces To Chase A Title
Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton (33) at Barclays Center.
Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton (33) at Barclays Center.
Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
Los Angeles is pulling off a sleek pivot, snagging Nic Claxton’s defensive dominance and Nickeil Alexander-Walker’s scoring punch, two acquisitions that ring championship alarm bells. Claxton, a 6'11" anchor, averaged 10.3 points and 7.4 rebounds while shooting an elite 56.3% from the field this past season, with solid rim protection built into a sophomore leap.
Meanwhile, Alexander-Walker rated around 9.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per night on 43.8% shooting, filling a versatile scoring role. Claxton has emerged as a defensive catalyst, and L.A. could potentially climb into the league’s top 10 for blocks and defensive rating once he locks in.
That blend of athleticism and timing should elevate L.A.’s paint presence. On the flip side, Alexander-Walker offers a stealth multiplier value; his playoff stretch with 12-23 points a night and efficient shooting behind the arc (39-40%) shows he can contribute under pressure.
This isn’t just depth, it’s a confidence statement. Pelinka is effectively telling the NBA, “We’re not playing around.” Pairing Claxton’s lob threat and charge-taking with NAW’s off-ball cutting and catch-and-shoot abilities gives head coach J.J. Redick a diversified toolkit.
Brooklyn Nets Continue Their Rebuild With Hachimura
Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (28) reacts after dunking for the basket against the Indiana Pacers during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (28) reacts after dunking for the basket against the Indiana Pacers during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Brooklyn flips Claxton for Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, and a 2031 first-rounder, a play that says clarity matters more than clinging to potential. Hachimura is fresh from a 13.1-point, 5.0-rebound season with a sizzling 41.3% clip from deep, while Vincent adds playoff-tested steadiness off the bench. And that 2031 pick? A future ledger-balancer that paves the way for meaningful moves down the line.
Hachimura represents the type of building-block wing this franchise needs: old enough to be reliable, young enough to grow, and skilled enough to stretch the floor. His combination of post strength, midrange touch, and switchable defense aligns with Brooklyn’s vision of sleek, positionally fluid basketball. Plus, adding veteran depth via Vincent gives them day-one rotation support as younger pieces develop.
Swapping a soon-to-re-sign anchor for a consistent wing and draft capital signals disciplined rebuild thinking. This gives the Nets more roster malleability, less salary locked, and more freedom to reinvest in youth or pursue free-agent upside. Smart, surgical, and bank-account conscious: a reset with purpose.
Timberwolves Get a Two‑Way Wing In Finney‑Smith
Apr 27, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Dorian Finney-Smith (17) heads to the sidelines to inbound the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the third quarter during game four of the first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Target Center.
Apr 27, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Dorian Finney-Smith (17) heads to the sidelines to inbound the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the third quarter during game four of the first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Target Center.
Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images
Minnesota loses Alexander-Walker but gains Dorian Finney-Smith, a seasoned 3-and-D ace ready-made to complement Anthony Edwards. DFS played 43 games as a Laker this season, averaging 7.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, and a mirror-shattering 39.8% from three-point range during that span. He adds a veteran tether that steadies roster balance.
Beyond percentages, Finney-Smith brings playoff-tested defensive chops. He’s locked down wings, navigated switches, and managed post-matchups throughout his nine-year career, offering the Timberwolves reliable wing reinforcement. His presence helps sustain Minnesota’s defensive identity through the ebbs of playoff stretches.
Overall, Minnesota grabs a veteran whose impact isn’t flashy but is immeasurably tangible, communication, rotations, and grit. Replacing Alexander-Walker’s youthful burst with Finney-Smith’s nuanced know-how feels like sliding into sunglasses after a long day in the California sun.
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