Brooklyn Nets: 4 glaring holes to address during the offseason

2. It’s time for the Brooklyn Nets to unleash Nicolas Claxton.

Obviously, DeAndre Jordan played a significant role in bringing Irving and Durant to Brooklyn. He’s a friend, respected competitor, and seasoned veteran who has been in the best and worst of NBA situations. Unfortunately for him, Father Time seems to be catching up to the athletic center and now, he’s no longer the best center on his team.

There are plenty of NBA nuances for 22-year-old Nicolas Claxton to get accustomed to. Playing center has always been a difficult job in this league, but with 3-point marksmen and small-ball threatening the position, it’s more difficult than ever. Even so, Claxton looked special during limited run during the 2020-21 season and provided a defensive spark that Jordan simply doesn’t anymore.

Of all 12 Brooklyn Nets players who logged at least 500 minutes, Claxton led the team in on/off differential during the regular season. Much of that is because of his impressive mobility and defensive instincts. He led the team in defensive rating at 108 compared to the team’s 113.8 average, which ranked 23rd in the NBA.

Though his offensive game is still coming along, Claxton is a great vertical lob threat and a smart pick-and-roll partner who knows how to fill his role and play off of the stars.

Brooklyn faces the same issue it did with Jarrett Allen a year ago — Should they stick to their veteran center in Jordan or let their young big man play through his mistakes in the starting lineup? Though Jordan deserves credit for a great career, moving him to a reduced role in favor of the up-and-coming Claxton is the best course of action heading into next season.