Nets Rumors: $19 Million Move Could Shield Nic Claxton in Sean Marks’ Rebuild After Blockbuster Knicks Trade

It has come to a point where a rebuild seems to be the right way to go for the Brooklyn Nets, wouldn’t you say? They have tried so many combinations over the past few years, only to be left high and dry at the end. This season wasn’t any better, either. For one, they finished the 2023-24 season as the 11th seed with a 32-50 record. And with no hopes of a better future. That was until the Knicks offered five first-round picks and Bojan Bogdanovic in return for Mikal Bridges.

Suddenly, the Nets’ future didn’t look as bleak. The Nets had followed it by getting back their 2025 pick swap and 2026 first-round from the James Harden trade with a second trade with Houston. And now, they are left with a burning question regarding their solid defensive talent, Nic Claxton.

The 25-year-old’s unrestricted free agency has come as a sort of roadblock for Brooklyn. But it isn’t too high of a wall than say Nets owner, Sean Marks’ plan for a potential rebuild. Yet, nearly all teams are of the belief that Nic is likely going to re-sign with the ‘Big Apple’. Sports enthusiast Billy Reinhardt shared the reason for the high likelihood of that probability.

“The Nets are still likely to re-sign Nic Claxton, despite what bills as a clear pivot toward a rebuild. Brooklyn received Bojan Bogdanović as the salary match for Bridges, and the veteran could have some immediate re-trade value for the Nets.”

Since drafting the Georgia product as the 31st pick in 2019, Claxton has emerged as one of the best centers in the league right now. In fact, their new head coach, Jordi Fernandez, believes that the homegrown talent would be a future DPOY in the NBA. Of course, the Nets have the advantage of convincing and negotiating a favorable deal earlier than the rest of the league.

And it seems like Bogdanovic is the way to go forward.

Brooklyn could very well use Bojan Bogdanovic as trade bait and keep Nic Claxton at home

HoopsHype Podcast’s Michael Scotto had said that the Knicks had signed Bogdanovic intending to use him as trade capital in return for a star. The 35-year-old Croatian’s expiring $19 million contract was also part of the allure. And they succeeded! Of course, their mountain of draft capital certainly helped speed things along. But the business was indeed well taken care of.

Between Detroit and New York, the veteran forward played 57 games in the regular season and four in the playoffs before he went down with left foot surgery in April. He finished the season with an impressive stat line of 15.2 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.7 assists on 45.4% shooting from the field and 39.8% from downtown.

But would he be useful in a Nets team looking to rebuild? More importantly, would it be better to retain Nic Claxton at all costs rather than Bogdanovic? They could follow their crosstown neighbor’s route and get a good deal in return for Bojan. Early in February, Philly had shown interest in Bogdanovic. As we saw from his numbers this past season, the 6’7 forward still showcases admirable shooting skills.

Given how the 76ers’ superstar Joel Embiid can fall prey to injuries at any given time, they would be in need of players who can improve their spacing as well as provide extra offensive firepower. Although how a Sixers-Nets trade would work out is something we will leave to Sean Marks and the front office.

Anyway, Nic Claxton has a serious decision to make in the coming days. What do you think the South Carolina native will decide to do? Drop your guesses in the comments.

 But before you go, be sure to check this video of Leonardo Armato’s take on the deadly duo, Shaq and Kobe.

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