Blockbuster Three-Team NBA Trade Sends Nic Claxton and Cam Johnson to Lakers, Hawks Land Rui Hachimura in Bold Shake-Up
In a league where superstars dominate headlines and front offices constantly search for the perfect blend of talent and chemistry, a new blockbuster three-team trade proposal has emerged that could send shockwaves through the NBA. This hypothetical yet increasingly plausible scenario involves the Los Angeles Lakers, Brooklyn Nets, and Atlanta Hawks, with each team gaining assets that align with their immediate and long-term goals. According to reports surfacing from league insiders and trade analysts, the Lakers would receive Nic Claxton and Cam Johnson from the Nets, the Hawks would land forward Rui Hachimura from Los Angeles, and the Nets would gain draft capital and salary cap flexibility to further their rebuilding efforts. If executed, the ramifications would be significant and ripple through both conferences.
For the Los Angeles Lakers, a team in win-now mode with LeBron James still commanding elite attention at age 40 and Anthony Davis anchoring both ends of the court, adding a rim-protecting, mobile big like Claxton and a floor-spacing forward in Johnson would instantly address several pressing needs. Claxton is coming off his best season as a pro, showcasing elite switchability, shot-blocking instincts, and much-improved finishing around the rim. He’s quietly become one of the most valuable young defensive centers in the league, and his fit next to Davis in the frontcourt could create a menacing defensive wall that the Lakers haven’t truly had since the JaVale McGee-Dwight Howard days. Claxton’s presence allows Davis to play more freely without always bearing the full burden of rim protection.
Meanwhile, Cam Johnson brings exactly the kind of shooting the Lakers desperately need to space the floor. With D’Angelo Russell’s inconsistency and Austin Reaves’ streaky nature, Johnson’s ability to knock down threes off movement and catch-and-shoot opportunities would open the floor for LeBron’s drives and Davis’ post-ups. Johnson’s off-ball movement and smart decision-making also align with the high-IQ play LeBron thrives around. Together, Claxton and Johnson address both ends of the floor in a way the Lakers have struggled to balance in recent years. This deal would essentially signal the Lakers’ full commitment to surrounding LeBron with players that can defend, shoot, and compete at a high level without needing the ball in their hands—ideal for maximizing the twilight of his legendary career.
On the Hawks’ side, Rui Hachimura may seem like a modest return on paper, but he brings with him a unique skill set that could complement Atlanta’s evolving roster. With the ongoing speculation surrounding a potential Trae Young trade and the organization’s desire to recalibrate around younger, versatile pieces, Hachimura is a perfect bridge between the current core and the next iteration of the Hawks. He provides size, scoring versatility, and flashes of defensive prowess when engaged. Unlike some players who struggle to find a role, Rui has proven he can adapt to various schemes, playing both the three and the four depending on lineup configurations. Under Quin Snyder’s structured but creative system, Hachimura could flourish in a more defined role that emphasizes transition opportunities, midrange creation, and defensive switching.
Moreover, Atlanta’s decision to move off other assets in recent seasons—such as John Collins—has left a noticeable void at the forward spot. Adding Rui provides both production and upside at a position of need without disrupting their financial future. It also gives the Hawks the option to move on from some other rotational pieces to prioritize Rui’s development. For a team stuck in the middle of the Eastern Conference, with little traction in climbing up the standings, a move like this allows them to take a swing without mortgaging the future. Rui is still only 26, under contract at a reasonable number, and his ceiling remains intriguing.
The biggest beneficiary long-term might be the Brooklyn Nets, even if on the surface it looks like they’re giving up two quality players in Claxton and Johnson. In truth, Brooklyn is in the early stages of a rebuild after the failed Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden era. They have pieces like Mikal Bridges, but unless they’re able to pull off a superstar acquisition—which now seems less likely—the smarter move is to gather picks and cap space while investing in youth development. Moving Claxton and Johnson, both of whom are due for sizable contracts or already under multi-year deals, frees Brooklyn to reset without clogging their cap sheet.
In this proposal, the Nets are reportedly set to receive future first-round picks from both the Lakers and Hawks, as well as potentially an expiring contract to help facilitate the deal. These picks could become extremely valuable as the Lakers age out of contention in a post-LeBron world. With several teams expected to tank or retool in the coming years, Brooklyn would position itself as one of the few franchises with the draft assets and cap flexibility to move decisively in any direction. Additionally, the trade creates more room for younger bigs like Day’Ron Sharpe or new draftees to get developmental minutes in a less crowded frontcourt.
This trade, like all three-team deals, would require extensive cooperation and alignment between the franchises, as well as approval from player agents and possibly some contract reconfigurations. But if the talks materialize into a finalized agreement, it would represent a rare instance where all parties benefit. The Lakers add two key pieces to supercharge their 2025-26 title push, the Hawks inject youthful size and scoring at forward while retaining flexibility, and the Nets take a long-term view focused on asset accumulation and youth development.
For Los Angeles fans, the deal is a sign of urgency and ambition. LeBron’s clock is ticking, and Davis isn’t getting younger either. After being bounced early in the playoffs and unable to compete with deeper, more versatile Western Conference opponents, the Lakers need immediate reinforcements. This move would bring exactly that—players who aren’t stars in name but impact the game at a high level. Claxton’s defense and rebounding would be invaluable in playoff series, especially against teams like Denver and Minnesota that rely heavily on frontcourt dominance. Johnson’s ability to go nuclear from beyond the arc in key games could be the difference between winning or losing a playoff series.
For Atlanta, the move is part of a bigger philosophical shift. After several years of middling results and an over-reliance on high-usage guard play, it’s time to reimagine the team’s construction. Rui may not be the final piece, but he’s the kind of talent who can be part of a larger puzzle. His fit with players like Jalen Johnson and Onyeka Okongwu could give Atlanta a modern frontcourt rotation capable of running the floor, switching defensively, and scoring in multiple ways.
Brooklyn’s acceptance of a long-view strategy has been a long time coming. The Durant-Irving experiment failed spectacularly, and the organization can’t afford another short-sighted leap. Embracing a patient rebuild, stockpiling picks, and building around whatever young gems they uncover is their best bet to become relevant again. They’ve already seen teams like Oklahoma City turn patience and smart drafting into contender status. The key now will be identifying talent and not rushing the process.
As always, chemistry and health will determine the ultimate success of any such trade. But in theory, the pieces align. The Lakers get immediate help. The Hawks find a player who fits their evolving identity. The Nets embrace the rebuild and gain the tools to do it right. It’s not often that a trade of this magnitude presents a scenario in which every team can walk away satisfied, but this may be one of those rare occasions.
Whether this deal materializes or not, it speaks to the shifting priorities across the league. Teams are more willing than ever to admit when a strategy isn’t working and pivot in real time. The fluidity of roster construction, empowered by player movement and cap manipulation, means that fortunes can change overnight. For fans of the Lakers, Hawks, and Nets, that change may be closer than they think. The only question is which front office will have the nerve to make the first move.
