Nic Claxton
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Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton during a game against the Boston Celtics in November 2025
For much of the season, the prevailing belief around the NBA was that the Los Angeles Lakers would approach the trade deadline cautiously, constrained by a limited pool of movable assets.
Multiple reports have indicated that general manager Rob Pelinka is actively surveying the market for upgrades, with an emphasis on adding a young two-way wing.
Recent reporting, however, suggests the Lakers’ search may extend beyond the perimeter.
According to ESPN’s Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst, Los Angeles has also been canvassing the league for frontcourt help, specifically rim protection.
That broader approach has now produced a notable name.
Lakers Linked to Frontcourt Upgrade
According to Forbes’ Evan Sidery, one of the centers on the Lakers’ radar is Nic Claxton of the Brooklyn Nets.
“Nic Claxton is a trade target for the Lakers,” Sidery reported. “LA has been openly shopping Dalton Knecht plus $22.5 million in expiring contracts via Gabe Vincent and Maxi Kleber.”
Vincent carries an $11.5 million expiring deal, while Kleber is owed $11 million.
Sidery has previously reported that Rui Hachimura’s $18.2 million expiring contract could be part of broader discussions as the Lakers attempt to construct workable salary combinations.
Dalton Knecht, meanwhile, has struggled to generate traction on the trade market. As reported by The Athletic’s Dan Woike, the second-year guard’s value has dipped amid a sharp downturn in form.
Claxton, 26, is in the second year of a four-year, $97 million contract. He is earning $25.3 million this season, with the deal running through the 2027-28 campaign.
The Cost and the Catch
While the Lakers have been reluctant to take on long-term salary, Claxton’s contract structure could soften that concern. The deal is front-loaded and declines in value, with his salary dropping to $20.9 million in the final season.
Through 40 games, Claxton is averaging 12.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.4 blocks per game while shooting 58.3% from the field. His 103 offensive rebounds rank 17th league-wide.
The 6-foot-11 center would immediately address multiple areas of need. The Lakers have lacked consistent rim protection and physicality this season, particularly with DeAndre Ayton experiencing an inconsistent first year in Los Angeles. Rebounding and interior defense remain among the team’s weakest metrics.
“In need of more defense and athleticism, Claxton fits the billing, but the Nets will require a 1st-round pick as well,” Sidery added.
That requirement presents the primary obstacle. The Lakers currently control only one tradable first-round pick from either 2031 or 2032.
However, reports indicate Pelinka is exploring ways to convert one of those picks into multiple selections, a strategy designed to expand the team’s overall trade flexibility.
“With the Lakers, the word on the street is they’re trying to package Jarred Vanderbilt and Gabe Vincent together for a wing,” Kevin O’Connor of Yahoo! Sports recently said.
“Now, the really interesting thing with them is, they’ve been shopping around their future 2032 first-round pick for multiple first-round draft picks.”
That approach may represent the only realistic path to landing a center of Claxton’s caliber while preserving enough optionality to pursue wing help, reinforcing the roster around Luka Doncic in the present, while carefully managing what remains of LeBron James’ increasingly narrow window.