Nic Claxton could be the center of the future for Lakers

If the Lakers make a deal to acquire Nic Claxton, it could solidify their starting center position for years to come.

With the need for a center being the big, looming question over the summer for the Lakers, we’ll be taking a look at a number of potential targets, both via free agency or trade. Today, we continue with Nic Claxton.

The only thing better than youth and potential is production and Nic Claxton has a combination of all three.

During his six years as with the Nets, he’s proven to be an elite shot-blocker and lob-catcher, even if he was underwhelming for Brooklyn in his 2024-25 campaign.

Claxton signed a four-year, $100 million contract last summer and in his first season in that new deal, his points, rebounds and field goal percentage all declined.

When you mix that lackluster performance with a high salary and a rebuilding team, it means Claxton remains in trade rumors and is ultimately linked to the Lakers.

How would he fit with the Lakers?

Let’s start with the positives with Claxton. He can jump out of the gym and would be a perfect lob threat you can pair with Luka Dončić. If Jaxson Hayes looked like a serviceable big next to Luka, imagine what Claxton could be?

You could essentially put a career year in pen for the 26-year-old if he is in a purple and gold uniform next season.

He would also give the Lakers a true rim protector, something they’ve been lacking since the Anthony Davis trade. Claxton’s 5.3% block percentage this season was sixth-best in the NBA. Adding him to the Lakers gives them size in the interior, a shot blocker, and a big who can rebound.

The absence of this kind of player and its consequences were painfully clear when the Lakers had no answer for Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert in their first-round series against the Wolves.

Now for the negatives. Claxton can’t defend on the perimeter and his ability as a ball handler is nonexistent.

He has been a year away from figuring it out for seasons now and by taking a chance on him finally blossoming, you might just be picking up someone else’s problem.

Even so, his mere presence on the roster would give the Lakers a significant upgrade to their frontcourt, and if JJ Redick can develop him, Claxton could be the big of the future for Los Angeles.

How much would the Lakers have to give up?

Claxton is flawed, but young centers with an upside are hard to come by.

The Lakers will have to give up significant players not only to match salaries, but also to entice the Nets to finally pull the trigger and cut ties with the player they drafted.

Los Angeles might also need to include some draft capital to grease the wheels enough to finalize a deal.

This is where President of Basketball Operations Rob Pelinka earns his salary. Can he find a deal that Brooklyn will agree to that will not decimate L.A.’s roster, making the addition of Claxton a net negative?

Ultimately, the Lakers will likely have to part with a few quality rotation players to finalize a deal. Everyone knows the Lakers need a center, so fans shouldn’t think of this as a “Lakers tax” but more as a supply and demand situation.

If L.A. wants to add an impactful center, they’ll have to pay.

How realistic of a target is he?

Rumors are not concrete, but when there is smoke, there is fire. The Nets have made numerous trades over the past couple of seasons, including one with the Lakers in which they sent Dorian Finney-Smith to L.A.

They’ve clearly shown a willingness to make trades so it’s possible, even if it’s far from being probable at the moment.

The Lakers know they need a big, and Claxton fits a lot of what the team is lacking.

Given how slim the free agency market is on centers, L.A. might have to make a trade if they want to acquire a five who’s above replacement-level.

Claxton is most definitely that, so he should be near the top of the list of players the Lakers are trying to acquire.

You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.