Nets reserve rookie big man Nicolas Claxton has undergone arthroscopic labrum repair surgery on his left shoulder, per a team statement captured by Ian Begley of SNY (Twitter link). Claxton is expected to miss the entire Orlando 2019/20 season resumption, but will return for training camp ahead of the ’20/21 season.
The No. 31 overall pick in the 2019 draft out of Georgia, Claxton played sparingly for the Nets during his debut season. The 6’11”, 215-pound 21-year-old holds averages of 4.4 PPG, 2.9 RPG, and 1.1 APG in 12.5 MPG across 15 games.
Claxton joins his starrier All-NBA teammates Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in sitting out for the Orlando restart. The Nets will have just 14 healthy players in Orlando, and two of those healthy players are on two-way contracts, per Bobby Marks of ESPN (Twitter link).
I’m hoping the NBA will give an extra roster spot to the Nets. Doesn’t seem fair that they’ll be down three roster spots to injuries, especially with depth being very important in case of illness.
What’s the point? It will only hurt them in the future the higher they finish in the standings. Brooklyn is stuck in limbo for the next 3 years.
How do you get that? Their pick is lottery protected, but gone if they make the playoffs. They would have to completely fall apart to miss the playoffs. Most likely that would include losing two straight to the Wizards.
If it was the regular season they wouldn’t get an extra spot due to injury, but if they lose someone to illness and they drop out before the restart they get an extra spot.
I’m waiting for someone to get hurt but say they’re sitting it out so they can get that extra spot