The Brooklyn Nets have had an up-and-down season thus far, as they have been plagued by injuries throughout the season. Mikal Bridges and Day’Ron Sharpe are the only players to appear in all 37 games for the Nets and are among just five players who have played in at least 30 games.
All 18 players on the Nets’ roster have appeared in at least one game. The Nets have also used eight different starting lineups. The good news on the injury front is that Ben Simmons (back) is the only player currently out for the Nets, and he could be back soon as he is slated to be re-evaluated this week.
Brooklyn didn’t have any grand designs on being a contender in the East and is probably right where they thought they would be. The Nets (16-21) currently sit in ninth place and are positioned to remain in the hunt for one of the conference’s four play-in spots. But the Nets have struggled since opening the campaign at 13-10.
Through the first 23 games, Brooklyn was rolling offensively as they were eighth in offensive rating (117.7) and 19th in defensive rankings (114.7). Since December 13, the Nets have gone just 3-11 as their offense and defense have gone in the tank, falling to 24th in offensive efficiency (112.1) and 27th in defensive efficiency (121.1).
NBA Rumors: Nic Claxton Is Slated To Be One Of The Hottest Names On The Free Agent Market This Summer, Should Nets Re-Sign Him
This past offseason, the Nets said they planned to rebuild around Bridges and Cameron Johnson, the centerpieces of the Kevin Durant trade, at last year’s trade deadline. Bridges, who has two years left on his rookie scale contract that he signed in Oct. 2021, has continued playing at a career level. Meanwhile, the Nets signed Johnson to a four-year, $94.5 million deal this past summer. Johnson is the Nets’ best shooter and one of the team’s most consistent players this year.
However, Bridges and Johnson are two of eight players under contract with Brooklyn for next year. Therefore, the Nets have important decisions to make this offseason with seven upcoming free agents.
Spencer Dinwiddie, Nic Claxton, and Royce O’Neale are the Nets’ biggest free agents this summer. It would be a surprise if the Nets bring back Dinwiddie and O’Neal, who are making a combined $48 million this year.
What To Do With Claxton?
That brings us to Claxton.
Claxton is a highly athletic big man who had a career year last season. The 24-year-old has solidified himself as one of the best young centers in the game this year. As a result, he is expected to be one of the most sought-after players on the open market this year. HoopsHype has Claxton ranked 12th on their list of 2024 free agents. Meanwhile, Bleacher Report has him at No. 11, and NBA.com has him seventh.
Claxton has only played more than 72 games once in his career and has already missed 10 games this season. Claxton is considered one of the game’s preeminent rim protectors and defenders.
While limited offensively, Claxton is a fantastic finisher around the rim. Claxton averages 12.1 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks in 27 appearances. He is shooting 64% from the field and has posted 12 double-doubles, including three straight.
Brooklyn is only 11-16 with Claxton in the lineup this year. Not only is Claxton injury-prone, the Nets have a -4.7 in point differential with him on the court. Which is the worst plus/minus on the team among players who have played at least 10 games.
Claxton is expected to have plenty of suitors and could command between $20-25 million on the open market.
Granted, Brooklyn projects to have $20.4 million in cap space this summer. The Nets also hold Claxton’s Bird rights, meaning they can pay him more than any other team in the league. So, should the Nets put faith in the youngster and invest?
Lucas Kaplan of Nets Daily believes so.
“The player [Claxton] I outlined above is worth 10-to-15% of the salary cap, which is where $20-25 million will get you over the next half-decade. Sure, Claxton’s season has been slightly underwhelming to this point, but he’s one of the least culpable Nets in their subpar record.”
“Ultimately, I predict Marks and the Nets hold onto Clax through the deadline, and thus, pony up the requisite cash this offseason. Signing very good players at positions of need to long-term deals before a salary cap spike is good practice. And hey, you can always make trades at a later date.’