The Golden State Warriors, who are expected to be in the market for a prime big man, could potentially show interest in Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton at this season’s deadline.
Nets Open To Trading Nic Claxton
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Tuesday that Brooklyn has “$15 million in cap space and can create more, which has led to increased trade talks about using their room to absorb salary while receiving assets, sources said.”
This means a big move could be right around the corner.
Per NBA insider Evan Sidery, the Nets are once again open to trading Claxton, who signed a four-year, $90 million contract last July and remains under contract through the 2027-28 season.
Golden State could move Jonathan Kuminga to acquire the 26-year-old center. The question now is, would such a trade pay off for the Nets in the long run?
Kuminga, 23, signed a two-year, $46.8 million deal with the Warriors in September to end a prolonged contract dispute. The 6-foot-7 wing is eligible to be traded starting Jan. 15.
Nonetheless, injuries and inconsistent play have only lowered his value.
Jonathan Kuminga Has Been Unreliable
After starting the first 12 games of the season, head coach Steve Kerr demoted Kuminga to a bench role amid struggles. The former first-rounder was then sidelined for seven games due to bilateral knee tendonitis.
He was a DNP-CD in Sunday’s blowout win in Chicago.
“I’m not really sure [how long it lasts],” Kuminga said Sunday, per ESPN’s Anthony Slater. “But as long as things are working out there and we winning, I don’t see the point of switching anything, changing. Whenever my number get called, I’ll be ready.”
Through 17 appearances (13 starts) this season, Kuminga is averaging 12.4 points and career highs of 6.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists per contest while shooting a career-low 43.8% from the field and 74.1% from the foul line.
“Happens to everybody pretty much, other than the stars,” Kerr replied when asked about not playing Kuminga. “Guys come in and out of the rotation, depending on who’s available, how the team is playing.”
Claxton Posting Solid Numbers For Brooklyn
Kuminga needs a change in scenery now more than ever.
However, the same cannot be said for Claxton, who is averaging career highs of 13.6 points, 4.5 assists, and 30.2 minutes per game through 23 games (all starts) with the Nets this season.
Claxton ranks 14th in the NBA currently in offensive rebounds (65), 10th in blocks (32), 13th in field goal percentage (55.7%), and 12th in block percentage (4.3%).
Last season, Brooklyn ranked 28th in offensive efficiency, 26th in 3-point percentage, and 28th in points in the paint. Claxton attempted a career-high 21 shots from 3-point territory, but he shot less than 24% from deep.
Despite all the missed shots, it was a notable effort for the 6-foot-11 big man.
With that in mind, Brooklyn remains committed to Claxton’s long-term development, including his rim protection and his versatility on both ends of the floor. He’s demonstrated growth as an effective scorer and rebounder.
While Kuminga is still young, he hasn’t made at least 50 appearances in a season since 2023-24. This is for a player who was asking for $30 million annually during the offseason.
Trading Claxton only makes sense if the Warriors are willing to send Kuminga, a promising young player, and multiple draft picks in return.
