NBA Trade Rumors: 2 Teams in Hot Pursuit of Nets' Nic Claxton

How much of an impact has Nic Claxton had on the Brooklyn Nets this season? The athletic, rim-protecting, defensive-minded center led the Nets to the No. 1 defensive ranking in the NBA during the entire month of December.

But the rebuilding team remains buried near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings, and Claxton's name has been making the rounds on the rumor mill for teams that are desperate for a defensive presence like him down low.

His contract is a reasonable one, with two years left, at descending AAVs, going from the $25.5M he's owed this season, to $23M next year and $21M in the final year. He's a guy that the Nets "do view as a part of their future, but he's certainly got some interest around the league," says Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.

Reporting on where trade talks for Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton stand amid trade interest from the Indiana Pacers, Golden State Warriors, and other teams with @JustinShackil on @YESNetwork. pic.twitter.com/DsGmtLDQWA
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) January 15, 2026

Scotto reports that the Indiana Pacers and Golden State Warriors are two teams in hot pursuit of Claxton.

"The Indiana Pacers are actively looking on the market right now, and the Warriors are looking at various center options as well."

The Pacers lost their longtime starting center Myles Turner in free agency last summer, in a shocking move to the Milwaukee Bucks. They have been trying to get by with Jay Huff and Isaiah Jackson as their men in the middle.

The Warriors have been looking for a legitimate defensive center for a lot longer than that. He would be a tremendous fit behind Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler, along with the defensive presence of Draymond Green.

It would take a lot to pry Claxton loose from Brooklyn, but these two teams will try. One report suggests, understandably, that the Nets would not entertain talks on Claxton "without the inclusion of a true unprotected first-round pick, among other assets.”