Yardbarker
x
Nic Claxton assesses his 2023/24 season for the Brooklyn Nets
© Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

The Brooklyn Nets committed to Nic Claxton as the starting center in 2021 after trading away Jarrett Allen to Cleveland. It was a superb decision for both centers as the two big men blossomed in their new roles.

Allen became an All-Star in Cleveland. On the other side, Nic Claxton became a legitimate defensive titan and a potential contender for the Defensive Player of the Year award. When the former Georgia Bulldog assessed his performances in the ongoing 2023/24 season, he voiced his

“Personally, I think I'm meeting my goals. It's been tough; new coaches, new players, new systems, but I'm just doing the best that I can,” Claxton said in a post-practice presser. 

“There's always areas in the game where I can improve, where I've had dips throughout the season, whether it's offensive rebounding, whether it's protecting the rim. It's always ways to improve, but I'm definitely doing my thing.”

Nic is evolving as an offensive player

Aside from being the Nets’ defensive anchor, Clax has made significant strides on offense. He is more reliable, as he can create shots for himself through post-ups and drives to the basket.

That is a massive improvement for the 24-year-old because he became reliant on put-backs and alley-oops. Nowadays, those are just part of his game, which makes Clax one of the most well-rounded players on the Nets roster.

He has dabbled in taking some jump shots, as he hit a corner three-pointer and a few mid-range jumpers earlier this season. It shows that the former Bulldog is not only a defensive titan but also evolving on offense.

Claxton is a potential building block for the Nets

Claxton is in the final year of his contract, which makes him an unrestricted free agent in the 2024 offseason. The Nets will be looking to re-sign him on a long-term contract to be a building block alongside Mikal Bridges and Cameron Thomas.

General manager Sean Marks should convince Nic to return, considering he can be a DPOY-level player. The future is bright for Brooklyn as the Nets must keep working and meshing as the most complete team possible.

This article first appeared on FanNation Inside The Nets and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads:

Customize Your Newsletter

+

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.