The Brooklyn Nets’ center Nic Claxton might be headed to the New Orleans Pelicans this summer, who are considering replacing Jonas Valanciunas. The Pelicans want a quick player who can defend in space, and Nic fits the profile well. Fans consider the 24-year-old Nic Claxton to be an ‘Underrated’ Gem. Jonas is a brilliant shooter, but his slow legs have killed the interest of the Pelicans, and they are trying to trade him off.
Nic played a total of 76 games for the Nets last season and averaged 12.6 points, 1.9 assists, and 9.2 rebounds per game. The Pelicans can choose to land him to strengthen their squad. Will the Nets let him go?
Here is all the information you need about the trade between the Brooklyn Nets and the New Orleans Pelicans involving Nic Claxton.
What would the Pelicans offer for Nic Claxton?
The Pelicans are expected to offer Jonas Valanciunas and a first-round pick each from the years 2024 and 2026 in exchange for Nic Claxton and Royce O’Neale. Teams generally don’t build around big men with slow feet, but the Nuggets’ Nikola Jovic proved everybody wrong last season. He led his team to a title. Should the Pelicans hold on to Jonas for the same miracle, or should they let him go?
Nic Claxton is the longest tenured Brooklyn Net after the Joe Harris trade 🤯 pic.twitter.com/NrwfcFQP41
— Brooklyn Netcast (@BrooklynNetcast) June 30, 2023
Why would the Nets let Nic Claxton go?
Ahead of the 2022-23 Season, Nicolas Claxton signed a 2-year / $17,250,000 contract with the Brooklyn Nets, including $17,250,000 guaranteed and an annual average salary of $8,625,000.
The Nets are probably doing this deal to get their hands on the draft picks which are being offered in this deal. Jonas would be a good fit for the team as a floor spacer, but he would weaken them in all. But the Nets can sign a star using the assets they would get, and they might do this deal for those reasons. This deal also gives them financial flexibility.
Nic Claxton guarded by far the most isolation possessions this season:
He allowed only a 36.2 FG% in those ISO possessions per @PlaySwoops
He is a top 5 defender in basketball, the disrespect after the 7/11 trades has been crazy. pic.twitter.com/mVBE4fwAtS
— Brooklyn Netcast (@BrooklynNetcast) July 18, 2023
Why would the Pelicans like to sign Nic Claxton?
The Nets want a defensive big man with quick feet, and Nic Claxton is one of those players. Nic is a versatile defender. He would be able to cover up for Williamson’s defensive struggles, too. The Pelicans would hope for Williamson to be healthy for this deal to give optimum results.
Are the Pelicans making any mistake by trading Jonas or trusting an injury-prone Williamson? Will the Nets do this trade? We’ll keep you updated.
