The Los Angeles Lakers have been one of the most mentioned teams in the trade market and free agency heading into the offseason. Having outlined their plan of action to improve their roster strength and get back into championship contention, the team will look to make a splash.
Given how the Lakers have been presented as a market for superstars, the team has been linked in rumors with some of the biggest names in the business. While exciting, this may not be the ideal approach for a franchise featuring Luka Doncic and LeBron James as its core.
Considering the cap hit the star duo have on the team, it is unlikely that they would be able to make a move for another star without giving up significant value. Instead, the Purple and Gold still have some assets that they can leverage to improve their roster while simultaneously addressing key issues.
It has been made abundantly clear by Lakers GM Rob Pelinka that the Lakers are looking for a specific profile of player, particularly in the frontcourt. With this in mind, the Purple and Gold have been linked to several available big men on the trade market, as well as some reliable wing players.
With these aspects in mind, a recent report showcased some potential targets that the Lakers could engage in order to resolve their frontcourt depth issues, along with their perimeter.
The Lakers Can Acquire A Legitimate Center In Nic Claxton
The Lakers have been linked to Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton before. Claxton appears to fit the profile with regard to what the Lakers want from a big man as well.
At 6’11”, the Nets center has shown a lot of upside on the defensive end of the floor. Although he isn’t a physically imposing player, the 26-year-old is very capable of making use of his length on the rebounding glass while simultaneously showcasing his tremendous athleticism at his size.
Claxton notched an average of 10.3 points and 7.4 rebounds in the 2024-25 season with the Nets. As their primary defensive coordinator in the paint, he also notched an average of 1.4 blocks and 0.9 steals per game.
As a young and mobile center, he poses an inherent lob threat. This makes him an ideal partner for Luka Doncic, who is known to exploit mismatches in the pick-and-roll with his big men.
Additionally, Claxton is quite capable of holding his own in the paint. The Lakers’ lack of paint presence and rim protection was shown to be a glaring flaw in their playoff matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Although the Nets center can’t transform their defensive rotation, he certainly shows enough upside to be able to plug the gap.
Acquiring the 26-year-old will require the Lakers to part ways with some valuable assets, given his incoming cap hit of $25.3 million. But considering what they may get in return, it may prove to be a risk worth taking.
Proposed Trade Details
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Nic Claxton
Brooklyn Nets Receive: Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, 2031 first-round pick
The departure of Hachimura and Vincent will have a massive impact on the team’s perimeter shooting. With a need to address this, the Lakers can then look at making the next move to improve their roster integrity.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker Fortifies The Lakers’ Wing Depth
The Purple and Gold could benefit from adding Minnesota Timberwolves guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker to the rotation. The 26-year-old is a young and reliable wing who could fit right into the Lakers’ system.
Alexander-Walker has shown tremendous upside as a perimeter threat. Having started his career in New Orleans, the guard has gradually shown improvement in his ability while embracing his role on the wings.
The Lakers would be in dire need of players on the wing in the offseason. Considering most of their trade assets are perimeter players, the franchise will see a lot of them on their way out in light of the moves they intend to make.
The addition of the Wolves guard could help reinstate some semblance of balance in the roster. As a player who primarily moves without the ball, Alexander-Walker makes for a solid outlet passing option for Doncic or James on the perimeter.
The guard notched an average of 9.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game on shooting splits of 42.8% from the field and 38.1% from three-point territory. The stat lines don’t necessarily reflect the kind of impact the Wolves guard has had on the game.
At 6’5″, his length could be of great value to the Lakers’ defensive lineups as well. While additionally making considerations for other intangibles, he would prove to be a solid pick-up.
Alexander-Walker is going to be a free agent in the offseason. Considering the quality of his performance in the postseason, it is clear that he will demand a higher value going forward.
In such a case, the Lakers may be able to sign the 26-year-old off a sign-and-trade deal with the Timberwolves.
Proposed Trade Details:
Los Angeles Lakers: Nickeil Alexander-Walker
Minnesota Timberwolves: Jarred Vanderbilt, 2025 No. 55 pick
While a sign-and-trade is possible, there could be a scenario in which Los Angeles could make a move on the guard in free agency itself. This could be a problem for the Wolves as they are likely to see another key player in Naz Reid commit to free agency as well.
With limited options, Minnesota will be forced to make a call in this situation, allowing the Lakers to adjust their strategies accordingly.
