Report: Raptors 'Insistent' on Nic Claxton in Any 'Significant' Trade With Nets

The Toronto Raptors are reportedly insistent on acquiring Nic Claxton in any significant trade deadline deal with the Brooklyn Nets

All Raptors Staff | Feb 8, 2023

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If the Brooklyn Nets are going to make a big splash with the Toronto Raptors at the trade deadline it's going to require moving Nic Claxton.

Toronto is reportedly "insistent" on receiving the 23-year-old center in any "significant" trade with the Nets, according to SNY's Ian Begley.

Talked Knicks, OG Anunoby, how Nic Claxton would factor in on some Nets-Raptors deals and how the uncertainty around Kevin Durant is impacting the NBA trade deadline @EliseMenaker: pic.twitter.com/ieoZ6EwNEe
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) February 8, 2023

Claxton has been on Toronto's radar dating back to last year's trade deadline when the Raptors offered a first-round pick and Goran Dragic to the Nets for the then-middling center, according to Zach Lowe. The deal was reportedly "very close" but ultimately fell apart before the Raptors pivoted to a deal with San Antonio for Thad Young.

The Nets big has suddenly become one of the league's best interior defenders. He's averaging 13.2 points, 9.2 rebounds, and a league-leading 2.6 blocks per game this season. He would immediately slide perfectly into Toronto's starting center spot and stabilize a team that's been lacking a strong interior defender for years now.

The problem is the cost for the Raptors as Brooklyn is reportedly interested in both Pascal Siakam and O.G. Anunoby, Toronto's two most coveted players. The Nets have reportedly been in talks with Toronto about acquiring one of the team's two wings but it's unclear if those talks will materialize into a deal before Thursday's trade deadline.

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