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The Brooklyn Nets are heading into a 2025-26 NBA season in which they are expected to be one of the worst teams in the league amidst the early stages of the rebuild. One of the players that Brooklyn will be relying on, center Nic Claxton, is going to be crucial as to whether the Nets can beat the odds or end up with a top-5 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
Claxton, 26, is coming off a 2024-25 season in which he posted solid numbers as the starting center during a 26-56 campaign, but he has seen better days on both ends of the floor. Claxton finished last season with averages 10.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game while shooting 56.3% from the field and 51.3% from the free-throw line in 70 appearances.
Claxton is heading into the second season of a 4-year, $97 million contract last offseason and so far, it looks like the Nets are getting what they have always been getting from him since he came to the team. However, with Brooklyn’s roster looking significantly different heading into what could be another tough season for the organization and the fanbase, here are three goals for Claxton to strive for over the course of the season:
Rediscover His Defensive Dominance
While Claxton finished the 2024-25 campaign with 1.4 blocks per contest, the third-highest blocks per game average of his six-year NBA career, it has been awhile since he was recognized for his defensive ability within award voting. In the 2022-23 season, Claxton received the ninth-most votes for Defensive Player of the Year so that is something that he is capable of on a nightly basis. He just has to find that form again.
Continue Improving Effectiveness Away From The Basket
While Claxton’s scoring numbers are down from what he has been doing over from 2022-23 to 2023-24, he did show some signs that he is turning the corner in terms of his offensive ability outside of catching lobs. Claxton averaged a career-high in assists per game (2.2) and he shot a career-high 23.8% from three-point range as head coach Jordi Fernandez has asked for more from his starting center.
Continue Embracing His Leadership Position
Claxton, one of the longest-tenured members of the Nets, is once again in a leadership position on what will again be one of the youngest teams in the league, especially with five rookies entering the mix. Claxton is still young himself, but he has plenty of experience that he can bestow onto the younger players on the team so part of his evaluation will be on how he does as a leader and setting an example.
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