Nic Claxton feels good about his game as he prepares for free agency this summer, per HoopsHype's Michael Scotto. The Brooklyn Nets center is coming off a two-year, $17.250 million contract, and he thinks taking a smaller deal will pay off this offseason.
"I feel great. I'm in a great situation," Claxton said. "These past couple of years have been really good. I somewhat gambled on myself with a shorter contract, and it's all paying off."
As he embarks on his free agency journey, he said being on a winning team is a priority.
"Winning," Claxton said. "Being a playoff team and winning games."
Since signing the two-year deal ahead of the 2022-23 season, Claxton has put together a pair of solid seasons. He averaged a career-high 12.9 points and 9.2 rebounds per game last year before putting up 11.9 points and 10 rebounds per game this season. Most importantly, Claxton has stayed healthy for back-to-back years after dealing with injuries to start his career.
Claxton has become a solid offensive player around the rim, but his defensive game has elevated the most over the past two years. He averaged a career-high 2.5 blocks per game a season ago, which was the second-best mark in the league. This year, he's rejecting 2.1 shots per game.
Claxton made it clear he wants to be on a winning team after free agency, but what isn't clear is whether he will stick with Brooklyn through a rebuild or leave for a more established team. He has been with the Nets his entire five-year career, but that could come to an end in free agency.
The Nets have the potential to be a playoff team, but they are likely one or two pieces away from being a threat in the East. If Brooklyn could bring in more star power, it could help the team retain Claxton.
What would be your pay off ceiling for Nic Claxton? Do you think the Nets will and should do everything to keep him in Brooklyn?
