The Brooklyn Nets came to town on Friday night and took the Boston Celtics down. Michael Porter Jr. came flying off screens, draining shot after shot, while Nicolas Claxton posted a triple-double. That second point could be the most relevant for the Celtics: Claxton could be an intriguing trade target for them to pursue.
Claxton finished the night with 18 points, 11 rebounds, and 12 assists, dicing up the Celtics defense all night long. But as the now 3-12 Nets navigate the rest of their season, capitalizing on Claxton’s trade value could be something for them to consider. And Boston may pounce on the opportunity to snag him.
Friday night could have been an audition of sorts.
Could the Celtics trade for Nic Claxton?
The Celtics played the Nets on Tuesday night, too. Boston got the best of Brooklyn in that one, and Claxton didn’t play very well, shooting just 1-of-9 from the floor. But that changed on Friday.
Claxton looked incredible, making reads in the pick-and-roll, running dribble hand-offs to perfection with Porter Jr., and weaving his way through Boston’s defense for buckets inside.
As the Celtics look to figure out what the future of their center position looks like, adding a guy like Claxton, who is seemingly rounding into a solid player on both ends, could be intriguing.
So far this season, Claxton is averaging 14.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.4 blocks, while shooting 57.6% from the floor, and that’s without including his triple-double in Boston.
Claxton makes roughly $25.4 million this season, and he’s on a declining contract for the next two years after the 2025-26 campaign, meaning his salary decreases each season.
Meanwhile, the Celtics have Anfernee Simons’ $27.7 million contract, which they could use as trade bait at the deadline.
Obviously, getting Claxton from the Nets would almost certainly require the Celtics to add some picks to the deal, but if they feel strongly about the impact he can make in the long run, then perhaps they should consider a move.
If nothing else, Friday’s performance put Claxton in a prime position to be on Brad Stevens’ radar come trade season. Simons’ contract would make a deal smooth, at least from a financial perspective, and Claxton could certainly help Boston’s current center room.
Claxton’s potential trade audition on Friday night could be one to look back on once the deadline rolls around, especially if the Celtics want to get better at the center spot.