The Lakers’ frontcourt has long been a question mark. While Deandre Ayton gives solidity and size, he has never quite shown the combination of defensive mobility, rim protection, and playmaking upside that a modern “switchable center” demands.
Nic Claxton, at 6′11″ and with elite athleticism, presents a significantly different profile — a player whose strengths align well with the needs of a contending Los Angeles team built around Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves.
They need a new center for this team to compete with the Nikola Jokic’s, Chet Holmgren’s, Victor Wembanyama’s of the world, they need an upgrade fast.
Enter the Brooklyn Nets and center Nic Claxton, who would be a perfect fit with the Los Angeles Lakers.
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Claxton’s 2025–26 numbers reflect a real step forward. He is averaging 13.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game, while shooting 54.9% from the floor, making him both efficient and versatile.
Notably, Claxton recently logged a triple-double — including 14 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists in a win over New Orleans. That marks two triple-doubles this season, a rare feat for a center and a strong sign that his playmaking and all-around game have matured.
That combination of scoring, passing, and rim protection gives the Lakers a chance to evolve — not just survive — defensively and offensively. Claxton’s willingness to handle the ball, make reads, and pass out of the post or pick-and-roll increases offensive fluidity.
Claxton With Luka Dončić & Austin Reaves
Imagine a pick-and-roll built around Luka and Claxton. Luka’s elite court vision and passing threaten the entire floor; Claxton’s ability to roll hard to the rim — or even flash out for mid-range could draw interior defenders and open space for jumpers for Austin Reaves and other perimeter shooters. That spacing and unpredictability could transform L.A.’s half-court offense, giving them a legitimate inside/outside threat rather than a predictable look.
Defensively, Claxton’s length, mobility, and shot-blocking ability would elevate the Lakers’ protection at the rim — something Ayton has struggled with when asked to guard quicker or more dynamic lineups. Claxton also brings switch-capability, meaning he could hedge or fight through screens next to Luka and still recover effectively, a key trait for modern NBA defenses.
Moreover, adding Claxton wouldn’t just be about filling a need — it’s about maximizing the window. The Lakers are in a win-now mode and surrounding Luka with versatile, two-way talent gives them the best chance to contend. Claxton offers a high-ceiling upside, youthful energy (he is still only 26), and a contract that, while not trivial, could be manageable if the front office is creative.
Why Deandre Ayton Alone Isn’t Enough
Ayton provides physical size and a bit of offense. But he lacks the type of defensive versatility and modern mobility that teams exploit — limiting matchups against quicker lineups or versatile bigs. For the Lakers to exploit their full potential, they need more than just size: they need switchability, rim-running, passing, and a big who can help create space and playmaking. Ayton doesn’t deliver that. Claxton does.
If the Lakers swing for Claxton, they could dramatically upgrade their defensive identity, add complexity to their offense, and build a frontcourt around Luka’s creative strengths. Pairing Luka with Claxton, plus the shooting and scoring of Austin Reaves, could give Los Angeles one of the most dynamic inside-out lineups in the league.
For a franchise always searching for a modern two-way center who can switch, pass, protect the rim, and roll to the basket, Nic Claxton represents a rare and valuable find. If L.A. is serious about contending again soon, trading for Claxton isn’t just a good idea — it might be a necessary one.