Confirmed deal : Lakers Connected to $97M Big Man to Create Luka Doncic Duo

 

 

The trade between the Los Angeles Lakers and Charlotte Hornets for center Mark Williams fell through due to a failed physical, which means no lob threat for Luka Doncic during his initial season in Los Angeles. But there is no question that the Lakers front office will deliver Doncic the number one item on his teammate wish list sooner than later. Based on league rules and established deadlines, such a move can’t be executed until June 30, when NBA free agency officially opens and teams are again allowed to make trades. When that happens, Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton will be among the top names to watch when it comes to the Lakers’ pursuit of a big man.

 

 

Two names continue to be mentioned in league circles as potential Lakers center trade targets this summer: Myles Turner and Nic Claxton,” Evan Sidery of Forbes wrote on Sunday, Feb. 9. “Turner can be acquired via sign-and-trade if they overwhelm the Pacers with an offer. The Nets have been open to moving Claxton for months.”

 

Turner makes plenty of sense also, though he could be a more complicated acquisition due to his status as a free agent this summer. The Lakers probably won’t be able to sign him outright due to a lack of salary cap space and onerous new cap rules via the most recent collective bargaining agreement.

 

 

That means Indiana would hold a huge amount of leverage in a sign-and-trade scenario, and Los Angeles has to think as much about the future with Doncic as it does the present, so giving up unnecessary assets will be an even bigger faux pas this summer than normal.