The trade between the Los Angeles Lakers and Charlotte Hornets for center Mark Williams fell through due to a failed physical, which means no lob threat for Luka Doncic during his initial season in Los Angeles.
But there is no question that the Lakers front office will deliver Doncic the number one item on his teammate wish list sooner than later.
Based on league rules and established deadlines, such a move can’t be executed until June 30, when NBA free agency officially opens and teams are again allowed to make trades.
When that happens, Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton will be among the top names to watch when it comes to the Lakers’ pursuit of a big man.
Center Nic Claxton of the Brooklyn Nets. © Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images © Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images “Two names continue to be mentioned in league circles as potential Lakers center trade targets this summer: Myles Turner and Nic Claxton,” Evan Sidery of Forbes wrote on Sunday, Feb. 9.
“Turner can be acquired via sign-and-trade if they overwhelm the Pacers with an offer.
The Nets have been open to moving Claxton for months.” Turner makes plenty of sense also, though he could be a more complicated acquisition due to his status as a free agent this summer.
The Lakers probably won’t be able to sign him outright due to a lack of salary cap space and onerous new cap rules via the most recent collective bargaining agreement.
That means Indiana would hold a huge amount of leverage in a sign-and-trade scenario, and Los Angeles has to think as much about the future with Doncic as it does the present, so giving up unnecessary assets will be an even bigger faux pas this summer than normal.
Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton.
Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images Claxton, on the other hand, is on a $97 million contract for a team that has aspirations of being bad for a year or two beyond even this season.
The Nets are in the midst of a full teardown, as evidenced by the trade of Dorian Finney-Smith to the Lakers earlier this year.
At 25 years old, Claxton is also four years Turner’s junior.
He has averaged 10.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.7 blocks over his six-year NBA career and is heading into his prime over the next three years of his contract.
Claxton can play both ways, protecting the rim in a way the Lakers desperately need with Anthony Davis gone and creating a lob threat for Doncic.
He will also offer L.A. a $21 million expiring contract in 2027-28 that will provide roster flexibility shortly after what the team hopes will be the inking of a long-term extension for Doncic.
