The Brooklyn Nets have their work cut out following their worst season since 2017-18. Step one on general manager Sean Marks' to-do list: securing Nic Claxton on a long-term deal.
Claxton, who ranks fourth in the NBA in stocks (steals + blocks) over the last two seasons, is set to hit unrestricted free agency. After betting on himself by signing a two-year, $17 million deal in 2022, he is about to cash in. League executives expect the 25-year-old to command a four-year deal worth $20-$25 million annually.
All signs indicate the Nets are willing to pay a steep price to keep him in the black and white.
“Nic is the number one priority for us this offseason. There's no doubt about that,” Marks said. “We hope he's a Net for a very long time. We hope we can continue to build around him and build with him. It's been fun to watch Nic develop from his days at Georgia then coming all the way through here. I think he's scratched the surface of who he could end up being one day.”
“It's important to sign our own and keep our guys here and develop our own. I think that's what we've done with Nic and we've done that with a few other guys in the past. So, again, that'll be a priority.”
The Nets will have an exclusive opportunity to sign Claxton before the start of free agency. Brooklyn can begin negotiating with him the day after the NBA Finals ends, while other teams must wait until June 30.
Marks used that period last offseason to hammer out a four-year, $94.5 million deal with Cam Johnson, which was reported just after the start of free agency. The GM will attempt to reach a similar agreement with Claxton. However, the Georgia product said during his exit interview that he is excited to test the waters of unrestricted free agency for the first time in his career.
“We’ll see. At the end of the day, business is business. I’ll have to weigh my options,” Claxton said. “This is my first time being an unrestricted free agent, it's definitely a blessing… I think it's exciting, for me at least. I know everybody's situation is different, but for me personally, it's fun, it's exciting, the unknown of everything. The position I've put myself in over these past couple of years is really amazing.”
Who could steal Nic Claxton from the Brooklyn Nets in free agency?
When looking at the cap space projections, it's clear that realistic Claxton suitors could be few and far between. Six teams are projected to have over $20 million in cap space: the Detroit Pistons, Philadelphia 76ers, Orlando Magic, Utah Jazz, Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs, according to Spotrac's Keith Smith.
You can cross several teams off the list for Claxton immediately. The 76ers and Spurs are set at center with Joel Embiid and Victor Wembanyama, while the Jazz have a young, budding prospect in Walker Kessler.
On the surface, the Magic present an intriguing fit. Adding Claxton's defensive skillset would bolster a unit that ranked third in the NBA this season. However, Orlando has Wendell Carter Jr. on a bargain deal for the next two seasons and is expected to offer an extension to Mo Wagner. It makes far more sense for them to pursue offensive upgrades after averaging 100.3 points per game on 42.0 percent shooting during their first-round exit.
The Pistons are where the conversation begins to get interesting. Detroit is in the middle of a front office revamp, hiring former Nets executive Trajan Langdon as President of Basketball Operations and firing general manager Troy Weaver. It's difficult to project which direction the franchise chooses after its 14-68 campaign. However, it's safe to say there's pressure to improve the roster around Cade Cunningham.
Detroit used a lottery pick on Jalen Duren in 2022. The 20-year-old showed promise last season, averaging 13.8 points and 11.6 rebounds, but still needs to improve defensively. The Pistons also signed Isaiah Stewart to a four-year, $60 million extension last summer and traded Saddiq Bey for James Wiseman at the 2023 deadline. Would they overpay to lure Claxton after using assets at the center position during three recent transaction cycles?
It seems unlikely. But with over $60 million in cap space, it's certainly a possibility.
And that brings us to the biggest threat to sign Claxton: the Thunder. Oklahoma City has a glaring need for size in the frontcourt alongside Chet Holmgren. For all their success in other areas in 2023-24, the Thunder ranked 27th in defensive rebounding percentage during the regular season and 13th during the playoffs.
League executives expect the Thunder to secure a center in free agency, with Claxton and Isaiah Hartenstein considered the top names available. Jonas Valanciunas is another name to monitor, although the 32-year-old doesn't fit Oklahoma City's timeline nearly as well.
While Claxton's realistic suitors may be limited, it only takes one motivated team to steal him away. If Oklahoma City or Detroit come knocking, the Nets will have to pay up to retain his services.
Follow Us
Subscribe