100 million center is here, Lakers strengthen their inside shortcomings, Doncic s fellow villager may become a substitute

The Los Angeles Lakers are expected to restart the trade negotiations process regarding Brooklyn Nets center Nicholas Clarkston during this year's NBA summer offseason. In fact, long before this year's trade deadline, the Lakers had already begun to plan a strengthening strategy for center position after they traded Anthony Davis (Anthony Davis), and Clarkston was one of the potential signing targets they were aiming for. However, after that, they once tended to trade with the Charlotte Hornets for Miles Bridges (Marvey), but eventually the deal was cancelled.

Clarkston is 26 years old, with a height of 2.11 meters and an amazing wingspan of 2.20 meters. With his slender figure and excellent bounce ability, he has shown a unique advantage in the inside position. Last summer, he signed a four-year, total value of $97 million with the Nets, whose salary will reach $25.35 million, $23.15 million and $20.94 million in the next three seasons. In the regular season this season, Clarkston averaged 26.9 minutes per game, contributing 10.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.4 blocks, with a shooting percentage of up to 56.3%. So far in his NBA career, he has averaged 10.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.7 blocks per game.

From the perspective of data and performance, Clarkston is undoubtedly better than the Lakers' current starting center Thomas Bryant (Hays), although his annual salary is also much higher than the latter. Bryant's annual salary this season is only $2.46 million, and he averaged 6.8 points and 4.8 rebounds per game in the regular season, and fell to 1.8 points and 2 rebounds per game in the playoffs.

In this year's playoffs, the Lakers, as the third seed of the Western Conference, were eliminated by the sixth seed Minnesota Timberwolves with a total score of 4-1. The Lakers were underperforming in rebounding in this round of the series, with three of the five games at a disadvantage, winning only in Game 2 and tied in Game 3. Therefore, for the Lakers, strengthening the center position has become a top priority.

In addition to Clarkston, the Lakers also expressed strong interest in Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford. This season, Gafford averaged 21.5 minutes per game, efficiently scoring 12.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.8 blocks, and his shooting percentage was as high as 70.2%. Next season, he will enter a contract year with a salary of $14.39 million. Gafford and Doncic have established a deep understanding and chemistry. The two led the Mavericks to the finals last year and went through the test of high-end games. In addition, they are expected to play side by side in the Slovenian men's basketball national team. So, we have reason to believe that they won't mind continuing to work together with the Lakers.

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