Nets' Nic Claxton is picture of stability for a franchise in transition
Nets center Nic Claxton speaks at the HSS Training Center in Brooklyn. September 30, 2024 Credit: Ed Quinn
Nic Claxton didn’t think too long about signing an extension with the Nets. It was a simple call for the team that drafted him in the second round in 2019.
Claxton signed a $100 million contract this offseason, with $97 million guaranteed. For a former second-round pick who started in the shadows of bigger stars, staying in Brooklyn was about security and comfort.
“Just an organization that has loved me from Day 1,” Claxton said this week. “They appreciate my work and I feel the same about them. So, it was a pretty easy decision to make and I'm happy to be back.”
As the longest tenured Net, Claxton has seen all of the recent changes that has morphed this franchise. He’s the last playing link to Kenny Atkinson’s tenure as head coach before Atkinson was fired in 2020. He started alongside Kevin Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving at various points before all three were traded.
Now he’s on his fifth head coach but is also the face of a rebuilding team. It’s a 180-degree turn from five years ago when Claxton joined the Nets a few weeks before Durant and Irving signed in free agency.
“I mean, I just work here,” Claxton said of the changes. “Whoever is here, whatever guys the organization decided to roll with, that's who I'm going to roll with and that's who I'm going to grow with.”
The next step is Claxton growing on the offensive end. That’s been the challenge from first-year coach Jordi Fernandez, who wants Claxton to do more besides just lead by example.
What that looks like is Claxton getting the ball more near the free throw line, not just the low post or off screen-and-rolls. It’s looking for him in transition when he trails a play or setting him up as a passer in the low post.
For comparison, Fernandez has been on teams that used big men in that capacity. In Sacramento, it was Domantas Sabonis. In Denver, it was six seasons with reigning MVP Nikola Jokic. But Fernandez wants Claxton to find his own path as the team gives him more chances on offense.
“I don't want Nic to be Nikola. I don't need Nic to be [Sabonis]. I need Nic to be Nic,” Fernandez said. “Me and the rest of the coaching staff will help him with giving him those touches where he can be more of a playmaker.”
The Nets will need it while searching for more offense around Cam Thomas. Claxton has anchored a defense with his elite rim protection. But becoming more of a scorer and passer will add to his value, just as the Nets added to his salary.
It’s a reward for someone who’s been through the highs and lows of a tumultuous tenure. But Claxton’s got support from his teammates who know how financial security makes it easier to grow in your role.
"I've been in that situation, trying to get paid,” said Dorian Finney-Smith. “When it finally happens, it's like you can take a deep breath, but you also can loosen up a little bit. Have fun with the game a little bit more because you kind of get your feet wet.”
For Claxton, it’s something he’s looking forward to. As the last man standing from the 2019 offseason, he remembers when the team thought the sky was the limit. Five years later, that ceiling is much lower. But Claxton hopes a bigger role on offense can help aid the climb back during this rebuild.
“Everybody wants to have the basketball in their hands,” Claxton said. “The basketball has energy and the more you have the ball in your hands, the more confidence you have to make plays, whether it's plays for your teammates, plays for yourself.”
Evan Barnes covers the Nets for Newsday. He previously covered Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.
