Brooklyn Nets reportedly willing to break the bank for Nic Claxton in free agency

One of the best rim protectors in the NBA, Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton doesn’t get the respect he deserves. The former second-round pick has had a steep hill to climb since arriving as a skinny 20-year-old in 2019, going from a regular inactive to one of the franchise cornerstones in Brooklyn.

But now, after five seasons with the Nets, Claxton is set to become an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his NBA career. Unless the Nets reach an extension, Claxton is expected to be the best center available in free agency. But the Nets hope their springy 25-year-old never hits the open market.

To do so, the Nets know they’ll have to present Claxton with a strong contract offer. Yet, as Nets Daily’s Lucas Kaplan indicates, Brooklyn is prepared to make Claxton one of the highest-paid centers in the NBA.

If Claxton did receive a contract paying $25 million per season, he’d become the 10th-highest-paid center in the NBA today. Yet, Claxton hasn’t reached his peak. Just this past year, he finished fifth in Most Improved Player voting and ninth in the Defensive Player of the Year voting.

Already one of the best defending bigs in basketball, the Nets likely believe their low post presence can continue expanding his offensive skillset, becoming a more consistent scorer while working on his post moves.

Still, the Nets like what they see right now in Claxton. So if there’s a chance of the former 31st overall pick reaching an even higher ceiling, Brooklyn will be more than happy to pay the price.