Unexpected 3-Team Trade Idea Sees Lakers Acquire Two-Way Swingman From Charlotte

We propose a 3-team trade idea involving the Hornets and Nets that sends a perfect two-way swingman to the Lakers and big man Nic Claxton to a new destination.

6 Min Read

Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

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

Mar 14, 2025; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Josh Green (10) shoots during the first half against the San Antonio Spurs at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

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

Jan 5, 2024; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton (33) dunks past Oklahoma City Thunder forward Lindy Waters III (12) in the second quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

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

Los Angeles Lakers guard Dalton Knecht (4) dribbles against the Golden State Warriors during the second quarter at Chase Center.

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. 

Newsletter

Stay up to date with our newsletter on the latest news, trends, ranking lists, and evergreen articles

Follow on Google News

Thank you for being a valued reader of Fadeaway World. If you liked this article, please consider following us on Google News. We appreciate your support.

Share This Article
Eddie Bitar is a senior staff writer for Fadeaway World from Denver, Colorado. Since joining the team in 2017, Eddie has applied his academic background in economics and finance to enhance his sports journalism. Graduating with a Bachelor's degree from and later a Master's degree in Finance, he integrates statistical analysis into his articles. This unique approach provides readers with a deeper understanding of basketball through the lens of financial and economic concepts. Eddie's work has not only been a staple at Fadeaway World but has also been featured in prominent publications such as Sports Illustrated. His ability to break down complex data and present it in an accessible way creates an engaging and informative way to visualize both individual and team statistics. From finding the top 3 point shooters of every NBA franchise to ranking players by cost per point, Eddie is constantly finding new angles to use historical data that other NBA analysts may be overlooking.
Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *