After making the playoffs a year ago, the Brooklyn Nets had a disappointing 2023-24 NBA season as they failed to qualify for the postseason. In 2023, the Nets seemed to be on the verge of becoming an exciting young team highlighted by the acquisitions of Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson. But now the Nets are at a bit of a crossroads as NBA free agency rolls around as they must decide what to do with Nic Claxton.
Claxton is set to hit unrestricted free agency this offseason. With top of the line centers scarce in this free agent crop, Claxton is among the top options along with New York Knicks big man Isaiah Hartenstein. Hartenstein could command up to $100 million in free agency as per Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports. Fischer also reports that Claxton could also reach a similar amount.
“For a team that's looking to upgrade at center, the market isn't exactly flush with strong starting options,” Fischer reports. “Nic Claxton will likely command a similar dollar figure to Hartenstein's expected range, sources said, although NBA personnel have long prepared for the Nets' switchable center to remain with Brooklyn.”
As part of the NBA's new collective bargaining agreement, the Nets can actually begin free agent negotiations with Nic Claxton immediately after the NBA Finals end. This new report is good news for Nets fans as there are extremely limited options to replace Claxton in free agency.
Nic Claxton has become one of the NBA's best centers
In a league that's seemingly devoid of big man and with a game that's continually shifting towards positionless basketball with am emphasis on three-point shooting, Nic Claxton is the man in the middle for the Nets.
After the Nets selected Claxton with the No. 31 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, he's exceeded any expectations that come with being a second round pick. Now entering his sixth season in the NBA, Claxton's game still has room to grow.
While rival teams would certainly have interest in a developing young big man like Claxton, the Nets have made it clear that they intend to re-sign him in free agency. That point was emphasized during new head coach Jordi Fernandez's opening press conference when he singled out Claxton as a player that fits perfectly with his vision and someone the team is making a priority to keep.
This past season, Claxton appeared in 71 games for the Nets at a little over 29 minutes per game. He averaged 11.8 points, 9.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 2.1 blocked shots with splits of 62.9 percent shooting from the field and 55.1 percent shooting from the free-throw line.
The season before, Claxton averaged a career high 12.6 points. He led the league in shooting that season at 70.5 percent which was also a career high for him. Claxton has emerged as one of the top defensive players in the league as well able to guard multiple positions.
The Nets are still going to have to identify what direction they want to go in and how they want to build their team. But re-signing Nic Claxton in free agency is a no-brainer.
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