Nicolas Claxton is providing a new element to the Nets, Brian Lewis of the New York Post notes. In his second game after recovering from a string of injuries, Claxton delivered 10 points, four steals, three rebounds, and a block in 15 minutes against Orlando Thursday. He fills a role as an athletic, energetic big man.
“He’s somebody we believe in and think he’s got a lot of upside, continue to grow and just take it step-by-step,” Nets coach Steve Nash said of Claxton.
We have more news on the New York City teams:
- Knicks guard Frank Ntilikina looked surprisingly spry in his first appearance in nearly two months on Thursday, according to Marc Berman of the New York Post. Ntilikina had been buried on the bench, along with rehabbing a sprained knee and, more recently, being quarantined under COVID-19 contact tracing. Ntilikina received 17 minutes of action against Sacramento and delivered seven points, three steals and two assists in 23 minutes. “His defense was fantastic,” coach Tom Thibodeau said. Ntilikina is likely to be an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
- Nash indicated the Nets will be active shoppers in the buyout market, Lewis tweets. A capped-out team, the Nets have been shuttling bodies in and out on non-guaranteed and 10-day contracts in order to fulfill NBA roster requirements. Brooklyn will likely seek to add depth at center.
- Nash has gotten tougher on his team and that approach has helped the Nets reel off eight straight victories, Lewis writes in a separate piece. The coaching staff has doled out more constructive criticism and held players accountable for lapses. “I don’t know if we’re coaching them any harder, but we’re definitely trying to cut to the chase and make sure we are pointing out and improving and addressing issues,” he said.
Boogie to Brooklyn!
No chance after he called Harden a B
I guess Ntlikina is a fringe allstar now from all the hype… Game changer for the Knicks right!
What hype was that ?? ?? 23 mins.
What are you talking about? Most Knicks fans consider Frank a major bust. There’s no hype around him at all.
He does oddly get a ton of ink at HoopsRumors tho….
Ive never been impressed; he never seems to make his presence felt on the court for longer than 2 minute stretches it feels
I’ve always enjoyed Frank but he’s extremely injury prone.
Claxton is just what Nets need. I guess you can still add depth and vets. For a playoff run. Defense defense IMO. They have the exception from Dinwiddie to spend. So an offer good money to right player. As a Knick fan would love to make a deal for Dinwiddie.
Dinwiddie, Claxton, first-rounder in ‘22 for Randle and ‘21 second-rounder.
Actually, Knicks get ‘21 first-rounder, not ‘22, and throw in Frank as well.
Good to see Nttilikina playing. Considering I doubt they offer him a contract. Needs to play so we can move him. Always said he is at worst Payton. Needs to go somewhere they will play him. And he can be better than Payton imo. He’s already a better defender. And thats saying a lot cause Payton has been solid on D. Knicks will move a guard or two by TD. Think they have been biding their time to see if a major deal came about. Cause then they could use multiple players.
It was nice to see Frank playing and playing well, but that said it was against the Kings, who are ‘ghastly’ (h/t to Walt Frazier) on defense.
I do agree that they will try very hard to move a guard or two before the trade deadline, but I can’t imagine any takers for Frank unless he continues to get minutes and make use if them (which is something he’s never really done).
Management has misused him mostly. But I do agree he hasn’t stepped up enough. It’s why I say he will do better in another city. I strongly believe that. Someone will get a bargain with Frank.
On that, we disagree. Frank’s had plenty of chances and just has not performed in any of them. Maybe going forward, I’ll be wrong about him, and I hope that I am.
Nets have 3 second round picks this summer
Hawks
Pacers
Suns
TD
Trade Dinwiddie and 3 picks for Bjelica and Holmes
Should you really use the word “spry” to describe a 22 year-old? My 80 year-old grandpa is spry.
That and he hasn’t played in two months. He damn well better be spry.
Frank NT for Oladipo
Who should attach first round pick?
Rockets send a future First to Knicks
Or
Knicks send First to Rockets
How is this even a question? The Knicks would need to attach *multiple* firsts. Frank’s trade value is zero.
Do you honestly think the Rockets would need to attach a first rounder to Victor Oladipo in order to land Frank Nkilitina? Yikes.
As I started to think about the implications of such a trade, it occurred to me that it must have been proposed by none other than …Sullivan
Do you just come up with the worst possible trades you can think of and post them?
All knicks fans are Ntlikina fanboys. They vouch for him as much as sixers fans vouch for Simmons.
I’m a Knicks fan and post nothing but negativity about Frank’s game. Plenty of others do as well. He’s been a colossal bust so far and most Knicks fans agree. No idea where you’re getting this from.
Also Simmons is pretty great so no surprise that Sixers fans vouch for him.
Ntilikina has been a bust. Should of taken Donavan Mitchell much like this year taking Halliburton instead of Obi. These are mistakes Knicks can’t continue to make especially when no free agents want to come and you have to build from the draft.
Relax with Obi1. He needs to play not his fault. Randle is having career yr. Don’t give up on him. He’s going to be good. But I agree Halliburton is looking great.
If we drafted Halliburton, the. There would likely be no Quickley…
@mlbnyyfan: I’m with Al. Give Obi some time. He had an injury early on and is still working his way into the lineup. He’s shown some real athleticism and has the confidence and ability to score in this league. Doesn’t help him that he sort of plays the same position as the Knicks best player (Randle).
Monday morning QB’n past drafts in any sport is truly a fruitless exercise.
They just had 3 pretty solid drafts in a row – 18 getting Mitch in the 2nd
19-Barrett
20- Toppin & Quickley
They flipped their 2015 pick KP from a potential underwater long term anchor to Randle +picks + maybe the picks Randle gifts you with as a good bye present after some stellar play
Glass half _ _ _ _ _ ?
I’ll vouch for Ben …. better than any Dinosaur lol.
Also a Knicks fan, and I also have almost nothing nice to say about him on this board.
link to netswire.usatoday.com
I’ve been wanting this guy since last yr. MSG does not like him as a Net. He’s talked a lot off smack about Knick fans. But they would love him in Knicks uniform. He’s a big PG very similar to Halliburton, better scorer (older). He upgrades our team immediately, love to have him. If these rumors have any weight. I hope WWWes is on this. Nets need D mostly. Noel, Payton, and a future #1 gets it done (2023 or later). With Dinwiddie on the book. We can draft SF or BPA next two drafts. Or trade for a big talent.
Agree but I’d be hesitant for two reasons – (1) the ACL and (2) he has a player option next year. He could opt out and seek a multi-year deal. We could get him in FA if the price is right and keep the pick