BREAKING: This three-way trade could fix many of Lakers roster issues
A proposed three-team trade involving the Lakers, Nets, and Heat, which would send Nic Claxton and Andrew Wiggins to Los Angeles, could be a game-changer for the Lakers.
The Los Angeles Lakers are expected to be one of the most active teams this offseason as they look to reshape their roster around the star duo of LeBron James and Luka Doncic.
One of the Lakers’ biggest weaknesses this past season was the center position — a problem that only grew after Anthony Davis was traded to the Dallas Mavericks.
Lakers insider Jovan Buha of The Athletic discussed a potential three-team trade on his podcast, Buha’s Block, that could address two major needs at once: adding a starting-caliber center and a proven forward.
The three-way trade:
- Lakers receive: Nic Claxton and Andrew Wiggins
- Heat receive: Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, Lakers 2025 second round pick and Lakers 2028 pick swap
- Nets receive: Maxi Kleber, Jarred Vanderbilt, Dalton Knecht, Lakers 2031 first round pick, Lakers 2030 pick swap
In this scenario, the Lakers would acquire forward Andrew Wiggins, one of the league’s most dependable wing defenders, who could offer better spacing and a cleaner fit alongside LeBron and Luka than Rui Hachimura, whose fit with the team remains uncertain.
They would also land center Nic Claxton, who would immediately address their rim protection concerns. Claxton averaged 1.4 blocks per game with the Brooklyn Nets this past season and brings mobility and shot-blocking to the position the Lakers sorely lacked.
However, the trade would come at a cost, with the Lakers giving up key rotation players like Hachimura and Jarred Vanderbilt, along with promising rookie Dalton Knecht.