The Los Angeles Lakers need two main additional pieces this summer: a starting-level center and a two-way wing who is at least a 3-and-D player. They have limited trade assets and very little salary cap flexibility, and therefore, addressing both needs will be difficult.
But perhaps where there is a will, there is a way. If the Lakers get creative enough in trade discussions, and if at least one other team is willing to do them a solid, perhaps they will significantly buttress their roster.
On a recent episode of “Buha’s Block,” Lakers beat writer Jovan Buha invited insider Anthony Irwin from ClutchPoints. Buha explored a three-team trade a fan proposed that would give Los Angeles not only the center it badly needs but also an athletic two-way wing who was an All-Star starter just three years ago.
In this trade idea, it would land Nic Claxton from the Brooklyn Nets and Andrew Wiggins from the Miami Heat while giving up forwards Rui Hachimura and Jarred Vanderbilt, big man Maxi Kleber, wing Dalton Knecht, guard Gabe Vincent, a 2031 first-round draft, this year’s No. 55 pick and 2028 and 2030 pick swaps.
While this trade looks good on paper for L.A., Irwin sounded skeptical that it would work in real life.
“If there’s a team that I would say might not be as interested, it would be Brooklyn, because Jarred Vanderbilt’s contract is one of the more negative assets out there,” Irwin responded. “I don’t think the Nets would be interested in taking on Vando… Basically, the Lakers would have to throw another pick swap out there, or they would not be able to protect the first that they sent to Brooklyn in that case.”
“Claxton is someone who is going to have a lot of value around the league,” he added. “If you’re gonna send out Claxton and you bring back one of the worst contracts in the sport, then you really have to get paid for it.”
While Claxton would be the athletic, rim-protecting big man who is also a lob threat and a good rebounder that the Lakers need, Wiggins would also be a big get. He averaged 18.0 points a game and shot 37.4% from 3-point range this season, and he’s also an excellent defender.
At 6-foot-7, he can play at and defend multiple positions, and his experience winning an NBA championship with the Golden State Warriors certainly doesn’t hurt. At age 30, he could provide at least two or three more productive years.
But in this trade idea, Los Angeles would have to replenish its depth at the power forward and guard positions. If it has a plan to do so, perhaps this would be the can’t-miss deal it would want to make.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Lakers insider chimes in on huge three-way trade idea suggested by fan
Reporting by Robert Marvi, LeBron Wire / LeBron Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
