2. Nic Claxton
Just like how the Nets shouldn't trade their best scorer, the Nets shouldn't trade their best big.
Sean Marks will say he has no regrets, but he probably knows that he made a mistake with the James Harden trade, and the fact that he included Jarrett Allen in that deal. I don't believe he will make the same mistake with Claxton.
Claxton recently returned from an injury of his own, and he is already looking like his normal self.
Through eight games, his scoring and rebounding stats are about the same as last season (12.6 and 8.3 respectively), but the eye-popping stat is his 2.9 blocks per game. If he continues on that pace, it would not only be a career-high but also lead the NBA.
Right now, out of qualified players (minimum 12 games played) Anthony Davis is leading the league with 2.8 blocks per game. Assuming Claxton won't be missing extended time with another injury and stays on this pace (and that other players do as well), that .1 difference will make him the leader after being second to Jaren Jackson Jr. last season.
The Nets do not have another player on their roster that's the same prototype as Claxton, so it would be unwise for Sean Marks to include him in a deal.
Let's see if he can keep working on his jumper that he teased in Atlanta.
Nic Claxton when asked about this jumper against Atlanta at today’s availability:
— Erik Slater (@erikslater_) November 24, 2023
“I got a three ball coming too. Just wait on it.” pic.twitter.com/84LNVZqAQt