Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Report: Raptors 'Insistent' on Nic Claxton in Any 'Significant' Trade With Nets
If the Brooklyn Nets are going to make a big splash with the Toronto Raptors at the trade deadline it's going to require moving Nic Claxton.
Toronto is reportedly "insistent" on receiving the 23-year-old center in any "significant" trade with the Nets, according to SNY's Ian Begley.
Claxton has been on Toronto's radar dating back to last year's trade deadline when the Raptors offered a first-round pick and Goran Dragic to the Nets for the then-middling center, according to Zach Lowe. The deal was reportedly "very close" but ultimately fell apart before the Raptors pivoted to a deal with San Antonio for Thad Young.
The Nets big has suddenly become one of the league's best interior defenders. He's averaging 13.2 points, 9.2 rebounds, and a league-leading 2.6 blocks per game this season. He would immediately slide perfectly into Toronto's starting center spot and stabilize a team that's been lacking a strong interior defender for years now.
The problem is the cost for the Raptors as Brooklyn is reportedly interested in both Pascal Siakam and O.G. Anunoby, Toronto's two most coveted players. The Nets have reportedly been in talks with Toronto about acquiring one of the team's two wings but it's unclear if those talks will materialize into a deal before Thursday's trade deadline.
Further Reading
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Nick Nurse, Pascal Siakam, & Scottie Barnes praise LeBron James as scoring title nears
Report: Raptors unlikely to move Pascal Siakam despite widespread interest
Raptors end road trip on a high but changes loom as Toronto returns home
