As sequenced transactions unfold, Nets sign Nic Claxton to 3-year, $4.2 million deal

Starting Saturday, the Nets have been signing players in a sequence that takes advantage of the Collective Bargaining Agreement’s cap limits. First, it was the execution of the Allen Crabbe trade that helped the Nets add cap space. Then, in order, they signed DeAndre Jordan, Kyrie Irving and now Nic Claxton, the second round pick in last month’s Draft. In essence, the Nets are trying to maximize cap space with each individual transaction leading up to the double sign-and-trade of D’Angelo Russell for Kevin Durant.

Durant’s brother left no doubt where things will end up..

As for the Claxton signing, the Nets put the news on Twitter...

The Nets offered little information on the contract’s specifics other than to say it was “multi-year.” Keith Smith and Bobby Marks reported the deal is three years and $4.2 million, all guaranteed. He will be a restricted free agent in 2022.

Here’s a bio provided by the Nets...

Claxton (6’11, 215) spent two collegiate seasons at the University of Georgia (2017-19). As a sophomore, the forward/center averaged a team-high 13.0 points, 8.6 rebounds (third in the SEC), 1.1 steals and 2.5 blocks (10th in the nation) while adding 1.8 assists in 31.6 minutes per game on his way to being named to the All-SEC Second Team. Overall, Claxton appeared in 65 games for the Bulldogs, averaging 8.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 1.9 blocks in 23.0 minutes per contest. The 20-year-old finished his career ranked No. 8 on UGA’s all-time blocks list (123).

A native of Greenville, S.C., Claxton has also represented the U.S. Virgin Islands in international competition. He is currently competing for Brooklyn’s NBA Summer League team in Las Vegas.

In his first game Friday night, Claxton played 13 minutes, scoring only two points, a dunk off a feed from fellow rookie Jaylen Hands. On Sunday, he showed more of his game, finishing with four points, five rebounds, a block and a +/- rating of 15, high for the game.