Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton will be one of the more prized big men in this year’s NBA free agency class. He seems to realize that. Just don’t ask him out it will play out.
“We’ll see. At the end of the day, business is business. I’ll have to weigh my options,” Claxton said, via Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. “I’m an (unrestricted free agent), so it’ll be my decision at the end of the day, so I’ll have to talk with my family, agents, pray, and see if that’s the best fit.”
Claxton made $8.8 million this season. The Nets would like to re-sign him, per NBA insider Zach Lowe of ESPN.
“There is no long game here, though the Nets would like to re-sign Claxton — an ace defender and dangerous rim-runner — this offseason, per league sources,” Lowe wrote.
Claxton, 24, appeared in 71 games and averaged 11.8 points, 9.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 2.1 blocks while shooting 62.9% from the field and 55.1% from the free-throw line. He has 20 double-doubles.
In December, Claxton told Scotto that he loves playing for the Nets.
“One of the better two-way players in the league,” Claxton said when asked what his ceiling as a player is. “Offensively, given the opportunity, being that guy that can go out and average around 15 points. At the end of the day, I know what I’ll hang my hat on will be on the defensive side of the ball.”
Claxton’s projected salary heading into free agency is $21 million per year, according to 12 NBA executives polled by Scotto. Two of the 12 executives believed Claxton could get as high as $27 million annually, four executives think Claxton’s value is in the $20-25 million range and two valued Claxton at $20 million annually.
Claxton has career averages of 10.2 points, 7.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.7 steals and 1.8 blocks with the Nets (32-50), who finished in 11th place in the East.
There were rumors that the Nets were open to trading Claxton at this year’s trade deadline — so perhaps a sign-and-trade isn’t out of the question.
Ashish Mathur contributed to this report.
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