The former Kings assistant and Canada coach is wasting no time! Just inducted into Brooklyn, Jordi Fernandez spoke during his presentation press conference about the major projects to come for his new team. More particularly the case of Nic Claxton who will be an unprotected free agent. Which means that he will be able to sign wherever he wants, without the Nets being able to align with an outside offer.
The person concerned did not fail to emphasize this at the end of the season, and the new Brooklyn coach warns that he is counting on him, and he has great ambitions for him.
“Nic is, in quotes, an interior with versatility in defense”, notes the Spanish coach. “I think he will be the best defender of the year. For us, this is a priority this summer. By the way we play with him, because he is excellent on pick-and-roll, he goes quickly to the circle, he puts pressure on the circle. But also by his ability to play hand to hand, and, as you know, lately in the NBA, it's a very effective style. »
A convincing season
Little used in attack alongside Cam Thomas and Mikal Bridges, Nic Claxton still flirted with the double-double average: 11.9 points and 9.9 rebounds/m in 30 minutes of play. To which must be added his 2.1 average blocks which make him one of the best rim protectors in the league. So many arguments to make it the summer priority.
“I think Nic is our No. 1 priority”adds Sean Marks, the GM of Brooklyn. ” There is no doubt. We hope he will be a Nets player for a very long time. We hope we can continue to build around him and build with him and so on. »
If they want to build around him, it's because athletic pivots, focused on defense, are valuable. Like Fernandez, Marks imagines him winning individual awards. “He’s starting to show what he could one day become,” Marks continued. “Nic and I talked during the offseason about awards like Most Improved Player, Defensive Player of The Year, a spot on an All-Defensive Team… I think he has the qualities and he has the mentality to do so. achieve if he continues to work and develop. »
The first mission of the Fernandez-Marks tandem will therefore be to extend Nic Claxton. He is also the only important free agent in the rotation, and the Nets can afford to exceed the “salary cap” to keep him.
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
