As the Los Angeles Lakers look to reshape their roster this offseason, their top priority is to acquire a starting-caliber center who can complement Luka Doncic as a consistent pick-and-roll partner.
Following their early postseason exit, the front office, led by general manager Rob Pelinka, is committed to addressing this positional need.
Pelinka emphasized the importance of securing either a dynamic lob threat or a stretch big who can not only space the floor but also anchor the team’s interior defense.
Lakers insider Jovan Buha shed new light on the front office’s thinking during his Thursday podcast episode of Buha’s Block. Buha zeroed in on Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton as the Lakers‘ most viable target, despite his hefty $97 million valuation.
“Nic Claxton is the Lakers’ best trade option,” Buha said, explaining that Claxton fits the criteria of a modern, mobile big who can serve as a vertical threat and switch defensively.
Though expensive, the 26-year-old could become available if Brooklyn opts to reset its timeline, particularly if they land consensus top draft prospect Cooper Flagg in the upcoming NBA Draft.
Claxton averaged 11.8 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game this past season and has quietly developed into one of the league’s most versatile interior defenders.
Gafford provides a fallback
If Brooklyn decides to hold onto Claxton, the Lakers could shift their attention to a familiar name-Daniel Gafford. The high-energy big man played a crucial role in the Dallas Mavericks‘ 2024 NBA Finals run alongside Doncic, giving the Lakers a unique opportunity to reunite the duo.
“Gafford would be an excellent alternative as a cheaper option,” Buha noted, acknowledging that while he may not carry Claxton‘s defensive ceiling, he’s a proven fit next to Luka.
The two developed chemistry in the Mavericks‘ playoff push, with Gafford averaging nearly a double-double and excelling as a rim protector and finisher in the pick-and-roll.
“It’s unclear whether Dallas would move the veteran big man, especially in a deal with LA, considering the fan vitriol the front office continues facing because of the Doncic trade,” Buha said.
As for younger, budget-friendly big men like Walker Kessler of the Utah Jazz and Jalen Duren of the Detroit Pistons, Buha dismissed those options as longshots. While their contracts are favorable, their trade value is not.
“Kessler and Duren are the youngest and most affordable centers, salary-wise, but not from a trade perspective,” Buha explained. “The Jazz rate Kessler highly and would demand several picks, while Duren is among the core pieces for the young Pistons, and it will take an offer Detroit can’t refuse for it to agree to a trade.”
Read the full article here
