Lakers Nation, it’s time to talk about the future! Despite finishing just two games shy of the second seed in the Western Conference this season, the Los Angeles Lakers’ playoff run fizzled out with just one win, exposing glaring weaknesses. Defensive lapses and a void at the center position have left fans craving change, and Lakers insider Jovan Buha from The Athletic has pinpointed two realistic trade targets: Miami Heat forward Andrew Wiggins and Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton. With LeBron James and Anthony Davis still leading the charge, can these acquisitions turn LA back into a championship contender? Let’s dive into the Lakers’ struggles, the potential impact of Wiggins and Claxton, and what these trades could mean for the 2025-26 season.
The Lakers’ 2024-25 Season: Close, But Not Enough
The Los Angeles Lakers entered the 2024-25 season with high hopes, riding the star power of LeBron James (25.4 points, 7.3 rebounds, 8.5 assists) and Anthony Davis (26.8 points, 12.1 rebounds, 2.5 blocks). Finishing with a 47-35 record, they were just two games behind the Western Conference’s second seed. However, their playoff performance was a letdown, managing only a single win against the Minnesota Timberwolves in a first-round exit.
The Lakers’ issues were stark. Their defense, which ranked 20th in defensive rating (113.8), struggled to contain perimeter threats and protect the rim consistently. Davis carried the defensive load, but without a reliable center to complement him, opponents exploited the paint. Offensively, the team lacked secondary scoring and wing versatility, with D’Angelo Russell’s inconsistency and Rui Hachimura’s limited playmaking exposed in the postseason.
With LeBron turning 41 and Davis’ injury history looming, the Lakers face a narrowing championship window. GM Rob Pelinka must act decisively this offseason, and Buha’s trade targets—Andrew Wiggins and Nic Claxton—offer realistic solutions to address LA’s biggest holes.
Andrew Wiggins: The Wing Upgrade LA Needs
Andrew Wiggins, recently traded from the Golden State Warriors to the Miami Heat in a blockbuster deal for Jimmy Butler, is a prime candidate to bolster the Lakers’ wing position. Signed to a four-year, $100 million contract through 2027-28, Wiggins is owed $58 million over the next two seasons, making him a pricey but attainable target for LA’s trade assets.
Wiggins, the 2022 NBA champion and former All-Star, brings two-way versatility that could transform the Lakers’ lineup. This season, he averaged 17.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.2 steals, shooting 45.6% from the field and 36.8% from three. His ability to defend elite wings—think Jayson Tatum or Shai Gilgeous-Alexander—would ease the burden on LeBron and Davis. Offensively, Wiggins’ slashing, mid-range game, and improved three-point shooting add a reliable scoring option alongside LA’s stars.
A potential trade could involve D’Angelo Russell ($18.7 million) and Gabe Vincent ($11.5 million) to match Wiggins’ $28 million salary, plus a first-round pick (LA owns their 2026 and 2029 picks). For Miami, Russell’s expiring contract and Vincent’s familiarity with the Heat could make the deal palatable, especially if they pivot to a retooling phase post-Butler. For the Lakers, Wiggins’ playoff experience (he was a key piece in Golden State’s 2022 title run) and athleticism at age 30 make him a seamless fit in Darvin Ham’s system.
However, Wiggins’ inconsistency—evident in his up-and-down tenure with Golden State—raises concerns. His $28 million salary is a gamble if he reverts to his pre-2022 form, and LA’s limited draft capital means they can’t afford a misstep. Still, Wiggins’ defensive prowess and scoring upside make him a worthy target to address the Lakers’ wing woes.
Nic Claxton: The Answer at Center?
The Lakers’ most glaring need is at center, where Anthony Davis has been forced to play heavy minutes due to a lack of depth. Nic Claxton, the Brooklyn Nets’ 26-year-old rim protector, could be the solution. Claxton, in the final year of a $22.5 million deal, averaged 11.8 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks this season, shooting 62.9% from the field. His mobility, shot-blocking, and ability to finish lobs make him an ideal partner for Davis.
Buha notes that Claxton is also on the Golden State Warriors’ radar, setting up a potential bidding war between the two California rivals. The Lakers could offer Russell, Jarred Vanderbilt ($10.7 million), and a protected first-round pick to match Claxton’s salary and entice Brooklyn, who are rebuilding after trading Mikal Bridges. Claxton’s defensive versatility—he can switch onto guards and anchor the paint—would elevate LA’s defense into the top 10, allowing Davis to roam as a help defender.
Offensively, Claxton’s limited range (he takes no threes) means he relies on lobs and putbacks, but with LeBron and Austin Reaves creating, he’d thrive as a roll man. At 26, he’s young enough to grow with LA’s core, and a long-term extension in the $20–25 million range is feasible under the NBA’s salary cap rules.
The challenge? Claxton’s free agency status means the Nets could let him walk, forcing the Lakers to clear cap space or execute a sign-and-trade. Competition from the Warriors, who need a center to pair with Draymond Green, could drive up the price. If LA lands Claxton, though, their frontcourt would rival the league’s best, giving Ham the tools to compete in the West.
The Lakers vs. Warriors Rivalry in the Trade Market
The Lakers and Warriors are locked in a head-to-head battle for centers like Claxton, Brook Lopez, or Clint Capela, as both teams aim to address similar weaknesses. Golden State, coming off a 46-36 season and a play-in exit, needs a rim protector to complement Stephen Curry’s prime. Lopez ($23 million) and Capela ($22.3 million) are older but cheaper alternatives, but Claxton’s youth makes him the prize for both franchises.
A Lakers trade for Claxton could involve outbidding Golden State’s assets, like Gary Payton II ($9.1 million) and Trayce Jackson-Davis ($2.4 million), plus picks. LA’s advantage is their expiring contracts (Russell and Christian Wood) and slightly better draft capital. However, if the Warriors offer Jonathan Kuminga, a former lottery pick, they could leapfrog the Lakers in Brooklyn’s eyes.
This rivalry adds spice to the offseason. Posts on X, like @LakersDaily hyping Claxton as “the missing piece” for LA, show fan excitement, while @WarriorsNation pushes for Golden State to snag him. The outcome of this trade chase could shift the balance of power in the Western Conference, especially if either team pairs their new center with a wing like Wiggins.
Challenges and Risks
Acquiring Wiggins and Claxton would address LA’s biggest flaws, but the path isn’t straightforward. Wiggins’ $28 million salary eats into the Lakers’ flexibility, and his inconsistent motor could clash with LeBron’s demand for effort. Claxton’s lack of offensive range might clog the paint, forcing Reaves and Max Christie to stretch the floor. Both trades require sacrificing draft picks, a risky move given LA’s barren asset cupboard.
Financially, the Lakers are over the second apron, limiting their ability to add role players post-trade. If Claxton demands a max extension or Wiggins underperforms, LA could be stuck with costly contracts as LeBron’s career winds down. Pelinka’s history of bold moves—like trading for Davis in 2019—suggests he’s willing to take the risk, but the margin for error is razor-thin.
For the Nets and Heat, trading Claxton and Wiggins makes sense if they’re retooling, but they’ll demand premium assets. Brooklyn could hold out for multiple picks, while Miami might want young talent like Dalton Knecht. If negotiations stall, LA risks entering 2025-26 with the same flawed roster, wasting another year of LeBron and Davis’ primes.
The Bigger Picture for 2025-26
The Lakers’ pursuit of Wiggins and Claxton signals their all-in mentality to maximize LeBron’s twilight years. A lineup of Reaves, Wiggins, LeBron, Davis, and Claxton would be long, athletic, and defensively stout, capable of challenging top Western teams like Oklahoma City and Denver. Offensively, Wiggins’ scoring and Claxton’s rim-running would ease the load on LA’s stars, while Ham’s defensive schemes could mask any spacing issues.
However, the Western Conference is a gauntlet. Minnesota, Dallas, and Golden State (if they land a center) won’t roll over, and LA’s lack of depth could haunt them in a seven-game series. If Pelinka pulls off both trades, the Lakers could vault into the top four seeds, but chemistry and health—especially Davis’—will be critical.
This offseason is a defining moment for the Lakers. Fans on X, like @LALFanatic, are clamoring for Claxton’s defense, while @NBATalks debates Wiggins’ fit. The outcome of these trades will shape LA’s legacy in the post-LeBron era and determine if they can reclaim their 2020 glory.
The Los Angeles Lakers are at a crossroads, and trades for Andrew Wiggins and Nic Claxton could be the key to fixing their defensive and center woes. With LeBron James and Anthony Davis still in their prime, these moves could propel LA back into contention, but the risks—high salaries, limited assets, and competition from the Warriors—loom large. As the offseason heats up, these trade targets will dominate Lakers Nation’s conversations. Lakers fans, what do you think? Are Wiggins and Claxton the answer, or should LA look elsewhere?