Report: Lakers Could Trade For Nic Claxton Or Robert Williams III

According to NBA analyst Kirk Goldsberry, the Los Angeles Lakers could trade for Nic Claxton or Robert Williams III.

The Lakers need a big man after trading Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks for Luka Doncic. 

“Nic Claxton and Robert Williams III are the names that keep coming up, and I would guess that one of them will be on the Lakers.”

— @kirkgoldsberry pic.twitter.com/7UcSrX8Cyz

— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) February 3, 2025

The Lakers are in fifth place in the Western Conference standings with a record of 28-19. 

Claxton is averaging 9.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.2 blocks for the Brooklyn Nets this season while shooting 54.4% from the field and 53.5% from the free-throw line. He’s making $27.6 million.

Meanwhile, Williams III is averaging 5.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 0.6 steals and 1.7 blocks for the Portland Trail Blazers while shooting 65.1% from the floor and 88.2% from the foul line. He’s making $12.4 million. 

Once Doncic recovers from his calf injury, the Lakers are expected to start the former Mavericks superstar alongside LeBron James, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura and Jaxson Hayes. 

Hayes is a solid NBA player, but he’s not a championship-caliber starting center, which is why the Lakers need to acquire another big man before the NBA trade deadline. 

However, according to NBA insiders Sam Amick, Fred Katz and Joe Vardon of The Athletic, the Lakers may not like the available big men on the trade market. 

“The Lakers could now use a big man, someone to protect the paint, but not many centers whose names are prevalent on the market appeal to them, league sources said,” Amick, Katz and Vardon wrote. “And just as they wouldn’t part with the 2031 first-rounder for Doncic, they have no plans to give their best remaining draft asset away for a patch-up role player.”

It will be fascinating to see if the Lakers make another move before Thursday’s trade deadline. General manager Rob Pelinka has already made two trades this season.