Latest news with #NicClaxton
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
NBA rumors: Lakers' Austin Reaves trade strategy as 2 center targets emerge
Mar 31, 2024; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) drives for a shot against Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton (33) during the second half at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports The post NBA rumors: Lakers' Austin Reaves trade strategy as 2 center targets emerge appeared first on ClutchPoints. Finding a starting-caliber center to pair with Luka Doncic will be the Los Angeles Lakers' top priority this summer. After trading Anthony Davis, Rob Pelinka's squad was left with a gaping hole at the position during the second half of the season. Despite this, the Lakers aren't expected to include Austin Reaves, their top trade asset, in a deal for a big man, according to Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times. Advertisement 'The team has shown no interest in using Reaves in a trade that nets them anything less than a top-tier big, and there really aren't any of those available, with the two most common names linked to them in the earliest stages of the offseason — Brooklyn's Nic Claxton and Dallas' Daniel Gafford,' Woike said. Reaves is coming off a breakout season during which he averaged 20.2 points and 5.8 assists on 46/38/88 shooting splits. He, Darius Garland and Jamal Murray were the NBA's only players to average 20-plus points and five-plus assists on such splits or better. It's understandable why the Lakers won't include Reaves in a deal for Claxton or Gafford, both of whom are solid players but fall well short of star status. But do they have enough to swing a deal for either big man while holding onto him? Can Lakers acquire Nic Claxton or Daniel Gafford with Austin Reaves off the table? Jerome Miron-Imagn Images The answer will ultimately depend on how the Nets and Mavericks value the Lakers' distant draft picks. Advertisement With Reaves off the table, Los Angeles' offer for Claxton or Gafford would likely center on their 2031 first-round pick, Dalton Knecht and expiring salary fillers such as Gabe Vincent and/or Maxi Kleber. They could also include a 2030 first-round pick swap. That's not a terrible package on the surface. However, the Lakers have made the playoffs in 38 of the last 49 seasons, a poor sign for teams betting against their future outlook. Knecht showed flashes early this season. However, he was a 24-year-old rookie who ultimately couldn't crack the Lakers' rotation and was traded at the deadline for Mark Williams in a deal that was later rescinded. Claxton is coming off a down year after signing a four-year, $97 million contract last summer. However, he was among the NBA's top defensive centers over the prior two seasons and would provide a high-level lob threat alongside Doncic. The 26-year-old has three years left on a reasonable contract that will pay him below 14 percent of the salary cap in its final two years. Advertisement Gafford had another productive campaign with the Mavericks in 2023-24, averaging 12.3 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in 21.5 minutes per game. The 26-year-old shot 70.2 percent from the field, the NBA's second-highest mark among players to attempt over four shots per game, behind only Jarrett Allen. However, the Mavericks have a crowded frontcourt that already features Davis and Dereck Lively. Gafford is in the final year of his contract, potentially adding to Dallas' urgency to find a trade partner. The NBA trade market will gain clarity in the lead-up to the draft and free agency. Los Angeles' pursuit of its starting center will be a main storyline to monitor. Related: Shaquille O'Neal has no regrets over treatment of Kobe Bryant Related: Lakers' LeBron James dumps fuel on Brian Windhorst feud with callout
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lakers Can Resolve Frontcourt Depth Issues By Acquiring Athletic Big And Reliable Wing
Lakers Can Resolve Frontcourt Depth Issues By Acquiring Athletic Big And Reliable Wing originally appeared on Fadeaway World. 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. Advertisement 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 Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton (33) at Barclays Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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 Nickeil Alexander-Walker passes the ball to the corner against the Lakers.© Matt Blewett-Imagn Images 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement With limited options, Minnesota will be forced to make a call in this situation, allowing the Lakers to adjust their strategies accordingly. Related: New Trade Idea Sends Four Players To The Lakers, Including Top Center From Eastern Powerhouse This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on May 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The Best Replacements For Jaxson Hayes Amid Uncertain Future With The Lakers
The Best Replacements For Jaxson Hayes Amid Uncertain Future With The Lakers originally appeared on Fadeaway World. After a humbling defeat in the first round of this year's NBA playoffs, the Los Angeles Lakers are expected to be one of many active teams in the months to come. For now, it's a mystery what trades the Lakers may be considering (especially for Austin Reaves), but it's no secret where their greatest needs are: the frontcourt. Advertisement After trading for Anthony Davis (in the legendary acquisition of Luka Doncic), the Lakers gave up their star big man without getting any reliable centers back. Once they rescinded the trade for Mark Williams before the deadline, all the Lakers had left was Jaxson Hayes and Maxi Kleber, who didn't make his debut until Game 5. The young big man did the best he could, but he was not fit to serve as the Lakers' starting center. By the end of the series against the Timberwolves, Hayes was out of the rotation after losing the trust of head coach JJ Redick. This summer, finding his replacement is a top priority, or, at the very least, finding someone to take his starting spot so that he can return to a bench role. Both in free agency and on the trade front, the Lakers have several paths to improve, and you can bet that they'll be considering several names when the NBA playoffs are done in June. Nic Claxton Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton (33) dunks past Oklahoma City Thunder forward Lindy Waters III (12) in the second quarter at Barclays Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images The Brooklyn Nets have not been competitive for some time now, and there are some questions about how Nic Claxton, 25, fits into their long-term vision for the future. The NBA big man has been with the Nets since he was drafted in 2019 and has another three years and $68 million left on his contract. Advertisement Known as an elite athlete and rim protector, Claxton has been a stabilizing force in the frontcourt with averages of 10.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game in his career. His defense, rebounding, and shot-making around the rim would be a major boost for the Lakers, who need some additional scoring outside of their "big two." The price for Claxton would be pretty steep as a top 10 center in the league, and it might require the Lakers to part ways with Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, and Dalton Knecht. Still, for a defensive-minded big man in the middle, it might be worth the sacrifice. Related: Massive 3-Team Trade Idea: Supertalented Center And Proven Wing To Lakers; Ja Morant To Heat Jarrett Allen Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) dribbles the ball in the game against the Atlanta Hawks during the fourth quarter at State Farm Credit: Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images In Cleveland, Jarrett Allen has emerged as a star for the Cavaliers, and his work with teammate and co-star Evan Mobley in the frontcourt helped them earn the best record in the East this season (64-18). But after an early exit in the second round, the Cavs are ready to make changes, and a swap at center is reportedly in consideration. Advertisement Allen, a 1x All-Star, has been a key contributor to the Cavs' top-ranked defense over the years. At 6'11" and 240+ pounds, Allen is more of a traditional big man who hangs around the rim and controls the game with his interior dominance. In 82 games this season, he averaged 13.5 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game on 70.6% shooting. Financially, the Lakers could make the trade work by packaging Rui Hachimura and Dalton Knecht, but it may take more than that for the Cavs to part with their starting big man. Depending on how badly the Lakers want Allen, they may have to give up someone like Austin Reaves or throw in their final first-round pick to get the deal done. Daniel Gafford Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford (21) in action during the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Brooklyn Nets at the American Airlines Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images Daniel Gafford has only been a Maverick for less than two full seasons, but he's already made a strong impression on the franchise. Since he arrived in 2024, the Mavericks have been steadily in the championship conversation, but after adding Anthony Davis to the fold, there are questions about where Gafford fits into the new roster. Advertisement The 26-year-old center is a great rebounder and natural shot-blocker with averages of 12.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game for the 2024-25 season. He's no star, but his contract is relatively cheap with just one year and $14.4 million remaining for the 2025-26 campaign. Best of all, he already has experience playing with Luka Doncic, who is now considered the future of the Lakers. If the Lakers want to avoid giving up too much in a trade for a big man, Gafford may be their best bet given his modest numbers and affordable contract. With many suitors for Gafford, the Lakers may not have enough assets to outbid their competitors, but they can still make a compelling offer centered around either Dorian-Finney Smith or Rui Hachimura. With Luka Doncic on the team and LeBron James approaching retirement, this summer is going to be pivotal for the Lakers in determining their fate for the next few years to come. If they play the cards right, these next few months will only increase their title odds as they make much-needed upgrades to the supporting cast. Related: NBA Rumors: 4 Veterans The Lakers Could Acquire This Offseason Related: 7 Winning NBA Trade Ideas Featuring Lakers, Warriors, Celtics, And Mavericks Related: Lakers Unlikely To Re-Sign Two Players In 2025 Free Agency This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on May 29, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Insider: Two centers have been linked to the Lakers
Not too long from now, teams across the NBA will start looking in earnest to make moves in order to improve their rosters ahead of next season. For the Los Angeles Lakers, that will mean going after a legitimate starting-level center. After landing Luka Doncic for Anthony Davis and Max Christie in early February, they had to make do with Jaxson Hayes, who lacks the size and strength to be a force defensively and on the boards, and Alex Len, who is a zero-impact player at this point of his career, at the 5. That very weak center rotation was likely the biggest reason they got waxed in five games by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the playoffs. Advertisement With executives from across the league meeting this week at the NBA draft combine in Chicago, the two centers on the market most connected to Los Angeles are the Brooklyn Nets' Nic Claxton and the Dallas Mavericks' Daniel Gafford, per Dan Woike. Woike also reported on what it would take for L.A. to trade guard Austin Reaves, who took yet another step forward in his production this season. Via Los Angeles Times: "People, including the Lakers' scouts and executives here in Chicago, have openly spoke about the team's needs at the center position — an obvious priority for Pelinka and Redick," Woike wrote. "The team has shown no interest in using Reaves in a trade that nets them anything less than a top-tier big, and there really aren't any of those available, with the two most common names linked to them in the earliest stages of the offseason — Brooklyn's Nic Claxton and Dallas' Daniel Gafford." Woike also gave a reality check on the obstacles in the way of the Lakers acquiring either Claxton or Gafford. "In Claxton, the Lakers would have the prototypical rim-protecting, lob-catching center that's tailor-made for Doncic. Claxton's due more than $66 million over the next three seasons and is two years removed from his most impactful stretch as a pro when he averaged 12.6 points, 9.2 rebounds and 2.5 blocks on a league-best 70.5% shooting from the field. This season in 70 games, those numbers dipped to 10.3 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.4 blocks with 56.3% shooting. "An optimistic read on the situation would point to the Nets' losing as a reason for his dip in production. A pessimist would point to his narrow frame (just 215 pounds), the two straight years in which his numbers have slumped and the high salary. "Gafford, we know, is a surefire Doncic fit because of their time together in Dallas. He's about to enter the final year of his deal and plays on a roster with Dereck Lively and Anthony Davis, making it unlikely that there's more cash headed his way from the Mavericks. "The trouble, of course, is that people around the NBA wonder how it would look if Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison engaged Pelinka and the Lakers on another trade after the last deal between the teams was so unpopular that it caused protests." Other than Reaves, the Lakers will have rookie sharpshooter Dalton Knecht, the expiring contracts of forwards Rui Hachimura and Maxi Kleber and guard Gabe Vincent and their 2031 first-round draft pick to offer in any trade. Advertisement In addition to a starting-level center, they also need improved backcourt depth and possibly another 3-and-D wing in order to truly have a good chance of winning next season's NBA championship. Their lack of bench scoring was another big problem they had in their playoff series versus the Timberwolves. This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Insider: Two centers have been linked to the Lakers
USA Today
17-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Nets' Nic Claxton linked to Lakers as possible center option
The Brooklyn Nets are still early in the offseason plans for the 2025 NBA summer as they seek to remake the roster following a disappointing 26-56 campaign. Brooklyn heads into the 2025-26 season with plenty of cap space to sign free-agents, but there is a possibility that one of their highest-paid players could be playing for another team next season. Nets center Nic Claxton is one of the players linked to the Los Angeles Lakers in their search for center depth, per Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times on Friday. Woike pointed out that the Lakers are so intent to find a quality center that they would be willing to consider trading guard Austin Reaves, but only if the return is a top-tier level of big man. "People, including the Lakers' scouts and executives here in Chicago, have openly spoke about the team's needs at the center position — an obvious priority for Pelinka and Redick," Woike wrote. "The team has shown no interest in using Reaves in a trade that nets them anything less than a top-tier big, and there really aren't any of those available, with the two most common names linked to them in the earliest stages of the offseason — Brooklyn's Nic Claxton and Dallas' Daniel Gafford." Whether Los Angeles views Claxton as one befitting of the "top-tier" label remains to be seen, but it also sounds like Claxton and Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford may be two of the better big men possibly available this offseason. As of this writing, the Lakers have Two-Way Trey Jemison under contract for next season while starting center Jaxson Hayes will be an unrestricted free-agent. Claxton, 26, is coming off a solid 2024-25 season, but it was also one of his more disappointing campaigns in the past few seasons. Claxton averaged 10.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game while shooting 56.3% from the field and 51.3% from the free-throw line. Claxton will be heading into the second year of the four-year, $97 million contract that he signed last summer. Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle
