Nic Claxton has quietly been putting together one of the more impressive seasons of his career, and Thursday night was no exception. The Brooklyn Nets big man posted a 16-point, 12-rebound double-double in a tough loss to the Miami Heat, continuing a run of form that's starting to turn heads around the league - especially out West.
According to NBA insider Chris Haynes, the Golden State Warriors are among the teams monitoring Claxton’s situation. During a broadcast appearance, Haynes revealed that Golden State is actively looking to bolster its frontcourt, and Claxton’s name is squarely on their radar.
“I was told they’re looking for size and athleticism,” Haynes said. “You look at the Warriors - rebounding and blocked shots, they’re in the bottom half of the league.
In points in the paint, they’re dead last. So they’re looking for an athletic center.”
Claxton isn’t the only name being floated. Haynes also mentioned Daniel Gafford and Robert Williams as potential targets, but Claxton stands out as a player who checks multiple boxes: rim protection, mobility, and the ability to run the floor - all traits the Warriors have lacked in the middle during the Steve Kerr era.
For years, Golden State has leaned on Draymond Green to anchor the paint, but at 6.2 rebounds per game, even the veteran defensive stalwart can only do so much. As Green gets older, the need for reinforcements down low has become more urgent. Jonathan Kuminga has shown flashes - averaging 11.8 points per game - but he’s more of a hybrid forward than a true interior presence, and his name has surfaced in trade rumors as well.
That’s where Claxton could come in. At 6-foot-11, he brings the kind of verticality and athleticism that Golden State simply hasn’t had in recent years. Even during the Kevin Durant era, the Warriors never had a true rim-running big - Durant, while long, was more perimeter-oriented and known for his scoring touch than his presence in the paint.
Claxton, meanwhile, is hitting his stride. Despite Brooklyn’s up-and-down season, the 26-year-old is putting up career-best numbers: 13.5 points per game, 30.3 minutes per night, and a surprising 4.5 assists per contest - a clear sign that he’s expanding his game beyond just defense and dunks. His chemistry with teammates and confidence within the offense are growing, and he credits that to feeling more in sync with the system and the trust he’s earned from the coaching staff.
“Just in a flow state,” Claxton said recently. “Knowing the spots that I’m going to be in, knowing where my teammates [are], knowing where to find them. And the coaches just trusting me to make plays.”
Brooklyn head coach Jordi Fernandez has leaned heavily on Claxton, and for good reason. He’s not just protecting the rim - he’s facilitating, finishing, and showing the kind of poise that makes him a valuable piece on both ends of the floor.
And with a fresh four-year, $100 million contract (including $97 million guaranteed) signed this past June, Claxton is locked in financially, which only increases his appeal as a trade target. He’s still young, still improving, and under team control - a rare trifecta in today’s NBA.
The Warriors, currently fighting to stay in the early playoff mix, are clearly looking for a jolt. Their identity has long been built around shooting, pace, and defensive switching, but the lack of size has become a glaring weakness. Adding someone like Claxton wouldn’t just patch a hole - it could reshape their frontcourt dynamic entirely.
For now, it’s just talk. But if Golden State is serious about making a run, Claxton could be more than just a name on a list - he might be the piece that helps them turn potential into postseason reality.