Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) leaps for a rebound against the New Orleans Pelicans (Image via AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) The Los Angeles Lakers have worked really hard to come close to the Western Conference in February 2026. This feat is greatly attributed to Luka Doncic’s production. At the same time, the Brooklyn Nets have shifted toward a rebuild. The team waived Cam Thomas, and he later signed a non-guaranteed deal with the Milwaukee Bucks.Because of that move, a trade between the Lakers and Nets for Thomas is no longer possible. Still, the idea of pairing him with Doncic is worth examining. It shows what both teams may have wanted and what they could have gained or lost.Looking back at how a deal might have worked also helps explain the choices contenders face when deciding between immediate help and future assets.
Current Rosters Entering February 2026
Los Angeles Lakers (2025-26)
Key rotation players still on the roster include: • Luka Doncic – PG/SG, 26, averaging 32.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.6 assists with a 61.6% true shooting rate. • LeBron James – SF/PF, 41, still a primary scorer and playmaker. • Austin Reaves – SG, 27, reliable secondary scorer and floor spacer. • Marcus Smart – PG/SG, 31, defensive leader and facilitator. • Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt, Maxi Kleber, Deandre Ayton, Dalton Knecht, Nick Smith Jr., Bronny James, and others.
Brooklyn Nets (2025-26)
After waiving Thomas, Brooklyn’s core includes: • Nic Claxton – C, 26, defensive anchor. • Michael Porter Jr. – SF, 27, main scoring option. • Terance Mann, Tyrese Martin, Ziaire Williams, Jalen Wilson, Day’Ron Sharpe. • Young guards Egor Demin, Ben Saraf, and Nolan Traore.Thomas is no longer part of the Nets roster following his move to Milwaukee.
How a Pre-Waiver Trade Could Have Looked
Cam Thomas (Image via Getty)
Before the waiver, a possible structure may have been:
Los Angeles Lakers receive:
• Cam Thomas, a 24-year-old scoring guard on a $6 million expiring contract.Nets receive (example package): • A future first-round pick or swap. • Young players such as Nick Smith Jr. and Dalton Knecht. • A smaller contract like Luke Kennard or Maxi Kleber to match salary.This setup would have allowed the Lakers to remain below the luxury tax while giving the Nets additional pieces for their rebuild.
Why the Lakers Would Have Targeted Thomas
Stat Snapshot (Thomas vs. Lakers Bench Guards)
Player (2025-26)PPGFG%3P%TS%RoleCam Thomas (Nets)15.643.5%32.5%52.7%High-usage scorer, bench-unit closerAustin Reaves (Lakers) ~17-18 PPG ~45% FG, ~37% 3PT ~37% 3PT ~58% TS Starter, two-way guard.Nick Smith Jr. (Lakers) ~6-8 PPG ~40% FG ~30% 3PT ~50% TS Young backup PG.Thomas is known for scoring. He can create his own shot and handle late-clock situations, which are areas where the Lakers’ bench has lacked consistency.
Fit With Doncic
• Age: Thomas is 24, Doncic is 26. Both are in their prime years. • Size: Each has enough length to fit into multiple lineup combinations. • Style: Doncic controls the offense and creates for others. Thomas focuses on getting points and can take over stretches of a game.Together, they could have given the Lakers another scoring option when defenses focused on Doncic or when LeBron was off the floor.
Why Brooklyn Might Have Made the Trade
Pros for the Nets • More young players and draft capital. • A chance to reset the roster after reported role and fit concerns. • Added salary flexibility.Cons • Letting go of a proven scorer who averaged 24.0 points as a starter in 2024-25 and has nine career 40-point games. • Possible negative reaction from fans who supported a homegrown player.
Lakers Perspective: Benefits and Risks
Pros • Immediate scoring from the bench. • Shot creation that is useful in playoff settings. • Upside at age 24. • Limited financial risk because the contract was expiring.Cons • Defensive weaknesses. • A ball-dominant style that might have affected touches for Doncic and LeBron. • Questions about locker-room fit on a veteran team. • The cost of giving up young players who could develop into rotation pieces.
Who Would Have Benefited?
Best-case scenario: The Lakers add a strong scorer next to Doncic without hurting their financial flexibility. The Nets gain picks and young talent to support their rebuild.Worst-case scenario: The fit does not work in Los Angeles, and the team gives up long-term pieces for a short-term move. Brooklyn risks watching a young scorer succeed elsewhere.
My two cents on the trade
Before the waiver, trading for Cam Thomas would have been a move with clear upside and real risk for the Lakers. If he adjusted to playing alongside Doncic and accepted the team structure under JJ Redick, the pairing could have strengthened the offense for a playoff run.If the fit failed, the Nets likely would have benefited by turning an expiring contract into future assets while the Lakers lost developmental players.Also read: NBA trade rumors: Golden State Warriors predicted to land $3.63 million Memphis Grizzlies guard; reunion with Stephen Curry could influence 2026 playoff pushThomas is now in Milwaukee, so any interest from the Lakers would have to wait until the offseason unless a sign-and-trade becomes possible. Even so, the idea of Doncic and Thomas sharing a backcourt remains one of the more interesting alternate scenarios from the 2025-26 season.