Report: Warriors eyeing Nets’ Nic Claxton as a possible trade target

The center for the Brooklyn Nets, Nic Claxton, is enjoying an impressive season, and if he keeps up his current level of performance, it may become the most outstanding season of his career. Although Claxton’s elevated game is a boon for Brooklyn, it also makes him an appealing trade option for other franchises in search of a starting-caliber center.

«The [Golden State] Warriors are active in a similar manner. I’ve been informed that they’re on the lookout for size and athleticism. When you examine the Warriors’ stats for rebounding and blocks, they sit in the lower tier of the league,» said NBA insider Chris Haynes during a segment on the NBA on Prime show. Haynes pointed out that the Warriors are one of the teams seeking more size in the paint, which might be why Claxton’s name has surfaced in discussions.

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«They are in search of an athletic center, and sources have informed me that their target list includes Daniel Gafford, Nic Claxton, and Robert Williams,» Haynes added. Claxton, aged 26, is putting up averages of 13.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game, with shooting percentages of 56.4% from the floor and 69.3% at the charity stripe, representing career highs if these figures remain steady.

As of now, no reports indicate that Claxton is up for trade from the Nets, but that won’t deter other teams from eyeing the former Georgia Bulldog. For a squad like the Warriors, Claxton would likely serve as the starting center next to Draymond Green, providing Golden State with a big man who can make an impact on both sides of the court.

Claxton is currently in the second year of a four-year, $97 million deal signed last offseason, meaning the Warriors would effectively secure his talents for the next two and a half years at a reasonable price. It remains to be seen whether Brooklyn will make Claxton available on the trading block, which could hinge on what rival teams are prepared to offer in return for the athletic center.

This article first appeared on Nets Wire: Report: Nets’ Nic Claxton a potential trade target of the Warriors