Insider names most realistic big man, wing Lakers could trade for
The NBA Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers will go, at most, another three games and end by next Sunday, June 22. That means that the start of player movement across the league is very close.
The Los Angeles Lakers are expected to be very aggressive in their quest to upgrade their roster and add to the core. The first item on their wish list is a starting-level center, but many also feel they need a two-way wing who can start at either the 2 or 3 position.
Jovan Buha, a Lakers beat writer for The Athletic, said on Saturday's episode of "Buha's Block" that the most realistic targets for Los Angeles on the trade market are center Nic Claxton of the Brooklyn Nets and Andrew Wiggins, a two-way wing who is currently with the Miami Heat.
"Looking at the current market, Claxton and Wiggins are probably the best realistic players the Lakers could get for each of their two big holes," Buha said.
"If you can get Claxton as your starting center and Wiggins as your starting three, and you still have LeBron, Austin, and Luka, I really like that starting five together."
Claxton seems to be the archetypal center the Lakers want and need. He's a capable shot-blocker and rebounder, as well as a lob threat who possesses ample athleticism. His production went down a bit this season, but the hope is that his numbers dipped because he played on a poor Nets team and not because he's in decline.
Wiggins put up 18.0 points a game while making 37.4% of his 3-point attempts this season. He was traded by the Golden State Warriors to the Heat in February in the deal that brought the Warriors Jimmy Butler, but while in Golden State, he reinvented himself.
He became an above-average defender and outside shooter, and he ended up starting in the All-Star game and winning the NBA championship during the 2021-22 season. At age 30, he should have plenty left in the tank for at least two or three more years.
The Lakers have limited trade assets, but if at least one team is willing to do them a solid, perhaps they could end up having a very successful summer in terms of personnel moves.
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