If you’re thinking the Los Angeles Lakers are built like an A-team around LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Austin Reaves with the Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart signings, think again. Sure, the core brings star power, but championship runs demand more than flashes of brilliance; they demand depth, grit, and defensive toughness off the bench.
That’s why one three-team trade buzzed about around the league could flip the script: it brings in a two-way swingman, and whispers suggest it also involves Brooklyn’s defensive anchor, Nic Claxton, in a major way. Let’s get into an unexpected 3-team trade idea involving the Lakers, Charlotte Hornets, and Brooklyn Nets.
Proposed Trade Details
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Josh Green
Charlotte Hornets Receive: Nic Claxton
Brooklyn Nets Receive: Dalton Knecht, Grant Williams, Gabe Vincent, 2027 first-round pick (CHA)
Los Angeles Lakers Move Spare Parts For Consistent Swingman
The Lakers are bringing in a 6’5″ two-way wing in Josh Green, a player known for his gritty perimeter defense and timely shooting. Last season, Green averaged a solid 7.4 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 1.6 APG, and a productive 1.1 steals per game, while sinking 39.1% from deep across 27.8 minutes per outing for Charlotte.
He’s the kind of energy guy who can shadow opposing wings and guards, chase them full court, and make life difficult late in games. Green’s fit with L.A. goes beyond numbers. In matchups against the Lakers, he’s been quietly effective, averaging 8.1 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 0.8 steals.
He’s shown he can step up against the league’s best, and with the Lakers needing someone to help clamp down in crunch time, Green brings both confidence and youth to the rotation. Off the court, the Lakers’ front office likely views this as a low-risk, moderate-reward move.
Swapping mid-tier assets to land a multipositional defender like Green gives L.A. flexibility in their cap sheet while boosting bench competitiveness. He might not headline headlines in the Western Conference, but his role could be the difference-maker in tight postseason battles.
Charlotte Hornets Find Their Long-Term Option At Center
Charlotte receives Nic Claxton, a 6’11” rim-protecting center averaging 10.3 PPG and 7.4 RPG with an elite 56.3% FG%. Last season, he posted 1.4 blocks per game and is posting 1.7 blocks per game over his career so far.
Claxton’s 3.3 blocks per game during a midseason surge show his potential as a game-changer. For a Hornets team hunting for foundational pieces around LaMelo Ball, intriguing rookie Kon Knueppel, and after the departure of Mark Williams, Claxton offers defensive stability, shot-blocking, and switchability, rare assets in today’s NBA. Beyond stats, he’s still young (26) and locked into long-term control through 2027-28.
For Charlotte, this isn’t a rental; it’s a cornerstone move. His contract (roughly 15-16% of cap next season) is friendly, giving the Hornets room to build complementary wings and stretch scorers around him. Pairing Claxton with emerging talent could finally give Charlotte the interior presence they’ve long lacked, a foundation on which to build a playoff contender.
Brooklyn Nets Acquire Knecht And A Valuable First-Round Pick
Brooklyn lands Dalton Knecht, Grant Williams, Gabe Vincent, and a 2027 Charlotte first-rounder, a package heavy on depth and structure. Knecht, at 24, brings upside as a potential two-way wing, and his shooting (9.1 PPG on 37.6% 3-PT FG) and defensive potential offer developmental appeal.
Williams adds a seasoned 10.4 PPG, 5.1 RPG all-around profile, while Vincent brings proven backcourt depth (6.4 PPG), including having experience from an NBA Finals stint. The pick is the centerpiece, a future asset that nets can build around or use in larger deals.
Given Brooklyn’s rebuilding window, this haul offers flexibility: a shot at growth with Knecht, immediate rotation beef with Vincent and Williams, and a draft asset to either trade or develop in-house. Financially, Brooklyn offloads Claxton’s rising salary, $25,352,272, $23,147,727, and $20,943,184 over the next three seasons, and instead picks up mid-tier contracts and a pick.
