Lakers linked to Nets frontcourt duo ahead of trade deadline

Sunday’s Luka Doncic for Anthony Davis swap near a monolithic void successful the Los Angeles Lakers’ frontcourt. After pulling disconnected 1 of the much shocking trades successful NBA history, wide manager Rob Pelinka could person much moves connected the mode — and the Nets could get involved.

“Part of the crushed wherefore Luka was truthful effectual past twelvemonth successful starring the Mavericks to the NBA Finals was having Derrick Lively and Daniel Gafford, guys who helium could person a lob menace to astatine the rim,” ESPN’s Dave McMenamin said. “Those guys stayed successful Dallas. They didn’t travel to LA with Luka. The Lakers would beryllium looking to find a subordinate with a akin accomplishment acceptable arsenic we scope towards Thursday’s commercialized deadline.”

In bid to bring successful a legit center, the Lakers could beryllium consenting to usage immoderate operation of Rui Hachimura/Jarred Vanderbilt/Gabe Vincint/Dorian Finney-Smith and a first-round pick. Portland’s Robert Williams III, Utah’s Walker Kessler, Indiana’s Myles Turner person each been mentioned arsenic imaginable commercialized targets for the squad up of Thursday’s 3 p.m. ET deadline. To nary surprise, truthful person Nic Claxton and Day’Ron Sharpe of the Nets.

It makes consciousness wherefore the Lakers would prosecute Claxton. He’s lone 25 and matches Doncic’s timeline. He’s a coagulated pick-and-roll large who tin beryllium unlocked with a large playmaker. And erstwhile he’s locked successful and engaged, he’s proven to beryllium 1 of the champion antiaircraft centers successful the league.

The Nets gave Claxton a four-year, $97 cardinal extension successful the offseason and were expecting him to instrumentality the adjacent measurement successful his development. However, preseason injuries led to a dilatory commencement for him successful 2024-25 and his crippled has seemingly regressed successful galore ways. But it’s nary concealed that he’s successful a rough, rebuilding concern successful Brooklyn surrounded by small on-court continuity.

A accidental successful scenery could pb to Claxton’s champion play yet astatine some ends of the court. He carries a $27.5 cardinal headdress deed this play and the Lakers would request to lucifer arsenic a first-apron team.

Acquiring Sharpe would astir apt beryllium a cheaper enactment for the Lakers. Entering Tuesday’s games, the 23-year-old has averaged 7.9 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.4 assists successful conscionable 17.3 minutes per crippled this season. While Claxton would beryllium viewed arsenic the sexier trade, nary Nets frontcourt subordinate has showcased much tenacity this play careless of role. He tin beryllium wildly impactful erstwhile healthy.

Sharpe has been heating up caller games, averaging 9.2 points and 6.9 rebounds connected 56.2% shooting implicit his past 13 appearances. The Lakers person reportedly been monitoring his availability for a portion now. And he’s nether declaration for conscionable $4 cardinal this season.