Cameron Johnson, John Collins, Nic Claxton Named ‘Top Trade Targets’ For Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers need to upgrade their roster this summer after losing to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the 2025 playoffs and one NBA analyst already has an idea of players the team should target. 

Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report named Cameron Johnson, John Collins and Nic Claxton as the Lakers’ top offseason trade targets. 

Johnson and Claxton are on the Brooklyn Nets, while Collins is on the Utah Jazz, though he can become an unrestricted free agent this summer if he declines his 2025-26 player option.

Johnson appeared in 57 games for the Nets this season. He averaged 18.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists while shooting 47.5% from the field, 39.0% from beyond the arc and 89.3% from the free-throw line. 

“Getting a deal done for Johnson—who used to slot alongside current Lakers swingman Dorian Finney-Smith when both were in Brooklyn—would be a huge step toward solving that imbalance,” Buckley wrote. 

Claxton played 70 games for the Nets this season. He averaged 10.3 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.2 assists while shooting 56.3% from the field, 23.8% from 3 and 51.3% from the foul line. 

“Claxton would be a tremendous get,” Buckley wrote. “While he’s not huge by NBA standards (6’11”, 215 lbs), he has all the length and athleticism needed to thrive in a rim-running role. He can anchor a defense—key for a team with as many holes on the perimeter as the Purple and Gold—and consistently crush lobs on offense.”

Finally, Collins appeared in 40 games for the Jazz this season. He averaged 19.0 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists while shooting 52.7% from the floor, 39.9% from deep and 84.8% from the free-throw line. 

“Collins could be all kinds of fun as a screen-setter for L.A.’s stars,” Buckley wrote. “The guy has anti-gravity bounce and a sure enough shot from distance to either pull opposing defenses out to the perimeter or punish teams who don’t respect his range.”

The Lakers won’t trade LeBron James or Luka Doncic this summer. Everyone else on the roster, though, is expendable.