Inside The Nets

Nic Claxton assesses his 2023/24 season for the Brooklyn Nets

Nic has been a superb center for the Nets this season.

Peter Sunjic

© Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
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The Brooklyn Nets committed to Nic Claxton as the starting center in 2021 after trading away Jarrett Allen to Cleveland. It was a superb decision for both centers as the two big men blossomed in their new roles.

Allen became an All-Star in Cleveland. On the other side, Nic Claxton became a legitimate defensive titan and a potential contender for the Defensive Player of the Year award. When the former Georgia Bulldog assessed his performances in the ongoing 2023/24 season, he voiced his

“Personally, I think I'm meeting my goals. It's been tough; new coaches, new players, new systems, but I'm just doing the best that I can,” Claxton said in a post-practice presser. 

“There's always areas in the game where I can improve, where I've had dips throughout the season, whether it's offensive rebounding, whether it's protecting the rim. It's always ways to improve, but I'm definitely doing my thing.”

Nic is evolving as an offensive player

Aside from being the Nets’ defensive anchor, Clax has made significant strides on offense. He is more reliable, as he can create shots for himself through post-ups and drives to the basket.

That is a massive improvement for the 24-year-old because he became reliant on put-backs and alley-oops. Nowadays, those are just part of his game, which makes Clax one of the most well-rounded players on the Nets roster.

He has dabbled in taking some jump shots, as he hit a corner three-pointer and a few mid-range jumpers earlier this season. It shows that the former Bulldog is not only a defensive titan but also evolving on offense.

Claxton is a potential building block for the Nets

Claxton is in the final year of his contract, which makes him an unrestricted free agent in the 2024 offseason. The Nets will be looking to re-sign him on a long-term contract to be a building block alongside Mikal Bridges and Cameron Thomas.

General manager Sean Marks should convince Nic to return, considering he can be a DPOY-level player. The future is bright for Brooklyn as the Nets must keep working and meshing as the most complete team possible.

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Peter Sunjic
PETER SUNJIC

Peter's journey with basketball commenced in the first grade, and it has since evolved into an integral part of his life. Standing on the brink of a potential professional playing career, Peter ultimately chose to pursue a degree in Political Science and Journalism in Zagreb, Croatia. Despite this academic pursuit, his deep-rooted love for the game of basketball endured, undiminished. Now, as a writer and editor, Peter finds an avenue to channel his unwavering passion for basketball-related news and analysis. Whether it's deciphering the latest happenings or delving into the lore of old-school basketball, he covers every corner of the NBA world.

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