All season long, the Brooklyn Nets have been the hottest team on the NBA trade market, with Day’Ron Sharpe, Cameron Johnson, Dorian Finney-Smith and Dennis Schröder all drawing significant interest.
Both Finney-Smith and Schröder were traded to contenders well before the Feb. 6 NBA trade deadline, but the Nets are expected to make plenty of deals between now and then. One of their best trade candidates is Nic Claxton, who would fill the needs of plenty of teams looking to go on a playoff run.
The Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors all have weaknesses in their frontcourt, and Claxton would certainly fix those problems. Teams like the Indiana Pacers, San Antonio Spurs and New Orleans Pelicans could be in the market for a quality, long-term center, and Claxton fits the bill at just 25 years old and under contract through the next three full seasons.
He is one of the better rim runners and shot blockers in the NBA, and is on a team-friendly deal. However, one league insider doesn’t think the Nets will trade him, at least not yet.
“I’m not certain he’s going to get moved,” predicted The Athletic’s Zach Harper on Monday. “The Nets will be receiving a lot of calls about him, though. Claxton is an excellent defensive big man and a very good vertical threat at the rim on offense.”
Five seasons ago, the Nets traded Jarrett Allen to the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he quickly became an All-Star. With that sour taste in their mouth, Brooklyn might be slow to move the promising center.
“He could end up being a bargain much like what the Cavs got with Jarrett Allen,” Harper continued. “I just don’t think it makes sense to move him now, unless Brooklyn is getting a bounty for him.”
The Lakers and Warriors have made it clear that they might overpay for a player to fit their needs, which could force the Nets’ hand, but as Brooklyn rebuilds, Claxton and Cam Thomas could be there to stay.
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