Now five years deep into his NBA career, Nic Claxton is set to reach unrestricted free agency for the first time in his career. That is unless the Brooklyn Nets don’t allow him to get that far.
According to the New York Post, it is widely believed that Claxton will end up re-signing with Brooklyn. The Nets would be allowed to negotiate with the 6-11 center the day after the NBA Finals concludes. The 29 other teams would not be able to negotiate with him until June 30.
Brooklyn Nets Re-Signing Big Man Seen As Top Priority
Top Priority For Nets
Nets general manager Sean Marks called re-signing Claxton the “No. 1 priority” for the team this offseason. He is the longest-tenured Nets player with his five seasons. Now 25 years old, Claxton was selected 31st overall in the 2019 NBA Draft, the first pick in the second round. Entering restricted free agency in the 2022 offseason, Brooklyn brought back Claxton on a two-year, $17.25 million deal.
#Nets could keep Nic Claxton from hitting open free-agent market: ‘No. 1 priority’ #nba https://t.co/k6wJSN6nmG via @nypostsports
— Brian Lewis (@NYPost_Lewis) June 1, 2024
2022-23 Was His Career Year Thus Far
While being far from a bad player in 2023-24, Claxton didn’t exactly take a step forward with his game last season. It was 2022-23 which can be seen as his breakout season. Claxton led the league shooting 70.5% from the field. He finished ninth in Defensive Player of the Year and fifth in Most Improved Player voting. On the season, he posted averages of 12.6 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks. Only Jaren Jackson Jr. of the Memphis Grizzlies averaged more blocks.
While his rebounds increased this season (9.9 per game, 13th in the NBA) in essentially the same amount of playing time, most of Claxton’s other numbers decreased. His scoring efficiency dipped as he shot 62.9% from the field. The scoring and block averages dropped to 11.8 and 2.1 respectively.
Still, Claxton has shown plenty of growth since joining the league. The now five-year veteran started just one game over his first two seasons and 19 in 2021-22. Where he hasn’t necessarily shown improvement is from the charity stripe. Claxton was a 55.1% foul shooter in 2023-24, right around his career mark of 54.4%.
Nic Claxton’s free throw motion looks different again. The hitch is back and the FT shooting has suffered lately.
— Billy Reinhardt (@BillyReinhardt) April 4, 2024
In 241 career regular season games, Claxton has averaged 10.3 points (on 66.1% field goal shooting), 7.8 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks. Outside of the Nets one team that could land Claxton is the OKC Thunder. Claxton would provide a massive boost to OKC’s defense and rim protection. The Thunder are likely to pursue Claxton.
What Might Nic Claxton’s Next Contract Look Like?
The New York Post spoke with league executives as to what Claxton could demand. One said a deal that is worth around $20 million annually seems fair. Another said what Jakob Poeltl received (four years, $78 million) is the minimum he should accept.
It is not a very deep center class in free agency this offseason, and Claxton may arguably be at the top of the list. The other notable big-man free agents include Isaiah Hartenstein and Jonas Valanciunas. The Nets finished the season at 32-50, 11th in the Eastern Conference. It was their first time not qualifying for the playoffs since 2017-18.
