The Oklahoma City Thunder have been dealt with some major injury blows over the last few weeks, with all three centers on the roster currently recovering from various injuries. Starting center Chet Holmgren suffered a season-altering pelvis fracture last week, while summer signing Isaiah Hartenstein has been sidelined with a wrist injury since preseason. Third-string center Jaylin Williams is also out with a hamstring injury.
The Thunder have resorted to playing 6’5″ forward Jalen Williams at center but it isn’t necessarily sustainable over the course of the season. If the Thunder want to maximize what they can make out of this year while setting their franchise up for years of domination, there’s a center from the Brooklyn Nets who could be available on the trade market that the Los Angeles Lakers could also likely pursue.
Nicolas Claxton could be had for the right price, a price that the Thunder could match more easily than the Lakers who have been searching for a center since the offseason.
Trade Details
OKC Thunder Receive: Nicolas Claxton
Brooklyn Nets Receive: Isaiah Joe, Aaron Wiggins, Kenrich Williams, 2025 First-Round Pick (OKC)
Even if the Lakers offer a package involving Rui Hachimura, Dalton Knecht, and one of their two remaining first-round picks, this OKC offer would be far more enticing with both Joe and Wiggins being high-value rotational players who could find a role in Brooklyn or be moved for further assets, along with the pick value blowing the Lakers out of the water with a potentially valuable Denver Nuggets pick in 2027.
This deal can’t be executed before December 15, 2024.
The Thunder Made Major Changes To Prepare For The Future
The OKC Thunder have to reckon with a larger issue around their team-building, which is the relative fragility of Holmgren as a full-time center. They paid a hefty price for Hartenstein in the summer, with many expecting Holmgren and Hartenstein to share minutes on the floor together. The long-term play to protect Holmgren is to play him as a power forward, which is why this trade makes sense.
Nic Claxton is averaging 8.6 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks this season on limited minutes as he’s also dealt with minor injuries. He’s a defensive menace, having averaged 1.8 blocks over his career, averaging over two per game in the last two seasons.
He developed into the Nets starting center during their contending days with Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden. He’d be a great one-two option with Hartenstein at center, with Holmgren being their power forward.
Acquiring another center not only helps them in the short-term but allows their roster to make more sense with Jalen Williams moving to the three as well. The versatility of the players will ensure the Thunder have multiple options even if short-handed due to injury. Claxton’s rim-protecting ability, rebounding, and excellent defensive instincts would make the Thunder virtually unstoppable, especially if paired up with Chet.
The Nets Clear Space Ahead Of Their Rebuild
The Brooklyn Nets have had a great start to the 2024-25 season, with the franchise sitting with a 5-7 record after the first 12 games. Many expected the franchise to be one of the more egregious tanking teams in the NBA this season primarily because of their blockbuster summer moves sending Mikal Bridges to the rival Knicks and reacquiring their own 2025 first-round pick from the Rockets at a hefty price.
With veterans such as Dennis Schroder, Cam Johnson, and Dorian Finney-Smith leading them to wins alongside Cam Thomas and Claxton, it’s time for the Nets to start moving these pieces away to focus on the future of the franchise.
Isaiah Joe is a 25-year-old guard who’s averaging 9.1 points this season and can be one of the best shooters in the NBA. Aaron Wiggins is a versatile do-it-all forward who plays with a high motor and is averaging 10.2 points and 4.1 rebounds this season. Both players would fit into their rebuild or be valuable as trade pieces for other franchises in the NBA looking for bargain-bin role-players on manageable contracts.
Claxton could be a part of the long-term core of the franchise, but it’s clear his play style doesn’t fit with what new head coach Jordi Fernandez wants. Claxton should get moved now before he’s another year into the four-year, $110 million contract he signed this summer.
The Thunder Establish Themselves As Title Favorites
This trade would ensure the Thunder are considered bonafide title favorites this season. Holmgren’s injury won’t be easy to return from, meaning the 22-year-old center might not be 100% this year given the mobility issues a pelvis fracture can cause, Having Claxton as an option ensures they can defend against big opponents and not be outmatched against size as they were during the 2024 Playoffs.
The Lakers would be willing to pay a steep price for Claxton given their need for a center, but the Thunder have far more assets to ensure he lands with them instead of in Los Angeles. Not only does this improve OKC, but it also makes the Lakers weaker in comparison.
Making a deal like this won’t be easy, but OKC needs to commit to adding playable size as soon as they can before they start losing steam waiting for their three centers to return from injury.
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