Lakers Should Trade For Nets Center To Solidify Big Man Rotation
The Los Angeles Lakers have done a tremendous job of improving their overall roster strength this offseason. With the addition of Jake LaRavia, Deandre Ayton, and Marcus Smart, the Purple and Gold have effectively addressed their key pain points.
Heading into the final segment of the offseason, the Purple and Gold could still look to make some improvements to their roster. To contend for the championship, the Lakers certainly need to address some of the depth issues in their frontcourt, specifically their big man rotation.
While it is unlikely that the team will engage in any trades before the start of the season, they may consider making moves once it is underway. With this in mind, we explore a trade idea featuring the Brooklyn Nets that would effectively allow the Lakers to add more depth to their center rotation.
Proposed Trade Details
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Day’Ron Sharpe, 2027 second-round pick (LAL)
Brooklyn Nets Receive: Dalton Knecht, Maxi Kleber
The acquisition of Day’Ron Sharpe would have major implications for the Lakers’ overall roster outlook. With a third capable center in the rotation, the Purple and Gold would have a lot more flexibility in setting their lineups.
While it would still be likely for Ayton to be the starting center, the backup role could be split between Hayes and Sharpe. Given his versatility and strength, Sharpe may have the upper hand in this case.
At 6’11”, the 23-year-old is a talented and athletic big man. While acting as a solid lob threat, Sharpe has also displayed a familiarity with the pick-and-roll, which could make him an ideal running mate for Luka Doncic or Austin Reaves.
Beyond athletic ability, he also brings physical strength in the paint. Weighing in at 265 lbs, Sharpe is capable of holding his ground against other big men. While he is limited in the capacity of a rim protector, the Nets’ big man showcased earnest defensive effort, even on mismatches. This is a positive sign as he is more likely to alter shots and force turnovers.
Last season, Sharpe recorded an average of 7.9 points, 6.6 rebounds, 0.8 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game, while shooting 52.1% from the field and 24.4% from three-point range. Considering his limited usage in Brooklyn, with only 18.1 minutes averaged per game, Sharpe could be more productive if he received more playing time.
The challenge with acquiring the 23-year-old is his contract. Considering that he only has a $5.7 million cap hit this upcoming season, matching salaries could prove to be a task.
Leveraging picks could prove to be helpful, especially since the Lakers possess limited draft capital. In this regard, acquiring their 2027 second-round pick may be viewed favorably by the Lakers’ front office.
The trade for Haywood Highsmith has shifted the Brooklyn Nets’ approach to the upcoming season. While also factoring in their ongoing contract situation with Cam Thomas, the Nets could require some scoring support off the bench. Acquiring Dalton Knecht could be a solid solution to this problem.
The 24-year-old Lakers guard showed the potential to become a capable sharpshooter and scorer during his rookie season. Although there have been claims that his value in the trade market has fallen, Knecht could still prove to be a valuable addition to Brooklyn’s lineup.
The guard has demonstrated his ability to be a perimeter threat. Along with this, he also possesses impressive shot-making ability from multiple spots on the floor, making him a capable three-level scorer.
Last season, Knecht recorded an average of 9.1 points and 2.8 rebounds, while shooting 46.1% from the field and 37.6% from three-point range. He has displayed an ability to score in bunches, even in limited minutes. The Nets could benefit from a scorer like him, especially amid their current roster-building challenges.
Along with Knecht, the Nets would also see the arrival of a veteran big man in Maxi Kleber. The German has been one of the key figures mentioned in a majority of Lakers trade rumors. While this could portray him as a disposable asset, he certainly adds value to a team.
Kleber is an incredibly high-IQ player. By leveraging this, he often makes the appropriate play for the situation on both ends of the floor.
On offense, Kleber has proven himself as a capable pick-and-roll big man. While he is effective rolling towards the basket, he is also known for retreating to the three-point line to knock down shots from deep. This versatility adds a lot of range to his overall arsenal.
Kleber missed a large portion of the 2024-25 campaign due to injury, resulting in a disappointing performance in the stats department. Regardless, the Nets may not see much intrigue in acquiring him for skills. As an expiring contract worth $11.0 million, Brooklyn may simply view his arrival as a means of clearing cap space in the following offseason.
Do The Lakers Need Another Big Man?
The Los Angeles Lakers’ approach to the offseason has seen them satisfy most of their pressing concerns from the previous campaign. By signing Ayton and retaining Hayes and Kleber, the Lakers have a fairly convincing big man rotation.
On paper, Kleber’s proven chemistry with Luka Doncic could be a deciding factor once the regular season kicks in. While he isn’t expected to be a lockdown defensive presence, the 33-year-old would need to find ways to contribute toward a winning effort.
Hence, the Lakers may not need another big man at this stage. In the event of injuries or more significant performance concerns, the Purple and Gold can always leverage their additional roster spot and expiring contracts to facilitate a move for a key rotation piece.
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