Nic Claxton hopes to remain in Brooklyn long-term: "I love it here"

Clax found home in Brooklyn, where he blossomed as a premiere defensive force under the rim. As such, he would love to extend his ties with the franchise.

© Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Nicolas Claxton has been in Brooklyn for five seasons. From what he enjoyed and seized as the organization's starting center, he has his fingers crossed that he'll be able to extend his stay for more years to come.

Claxton, who is an impending free agent this season, told HoopsHype's Mike Scotto that he is hoping he'll be able to reach a new contract with the Nets after this 2023-24 season.

"Hopefully, everything works out with Brooklyn. I love it here."

$21M-valued center

Claxton is in the final year of the two-year, $17.25 million contract he signed with the Brooklyn Nets back in 2022. With his defense, shot-blocking, efficiency, and potential, the majority perceived that the Nets were able to hit a successful bargain by retaining the big man who made huge strides as one of the NBA's promising big men.

Now that is a Nic Claxton defensive possession: pic.twitter.com/gOfk4oSs8y

— Lucas Kaplan (@LucasKaplan_) December 14, 2023

With the 24-year-old drawing sticky observations around league circles about his forthcoming free agency status, Scotto pointed out that Claxton's projected salary heading into free agency is $21 million per year, in courtesy of the estimation made by 12 anonymous league executives.

Per Scotto, two of the 12 executives are in the belief that Claxton could go as high as $27 million annually in his next deal. Meanwhile, four other executives landed Claxton's value to be around the $20-25 million range, and the two remaining executives view Claxton receiving $20 million yearly.

"I could see $25 million per year as an inflation of Jarrett Allen's deal for Claxton, or I could see Allen's deal at $20 million annually," an NBA executive stated.

Worth every penny

Brooklyn couldn't wish for the best foundation of its future in Claxton.

As such, a new contract with him must be a no-brainer in next year's summer. Nic perfectly fits the franchise's current timeline of soft contention and still holds obvious room for growth. 

From being a project player to now a high-caliber big, the improvements he made throughout the years are robust enough to fortify his case of earning a lucrative deal from team governor Joe Tsai.

The Nets' first half of the season won't turn out spectacular without Claxton, who averaged 12.2 points, 9.4 boards, and 2.3 blocks while shooting 64.2 percent. Given his numbers and rising reputation as one of the must-watch Defensive Player of the Year candidates, Nic fully deserves every penny that he can get from the proposals of his several potential suitors in the future, including the Nets.

For now, only time can tell what will unfold for both sides. But certainly, the Nets are already plotting their plans in hopes of retaining their interior anchor.

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