Pairing Josh Giddey’s elite playmaking with a specialized coaching staff offers the former Nets star a revitalized environment to weaponize his athleticism and reclaim defensive dominance.
Nic Claxton’s stock around the NBA has taken a hit over the past few seasons, but it wasn’t long ago that he was viewed as one of the better defensive centers in basketball.
Now, a change of scenery with the Chicago Bulls could be exactly what he needs.
Claxton’s production and overall impact declined toward the end of his time with the Brooklyn Nets. Some of that certainly falls on him, but his situation wasn’t exactly ideal either. Brooklyn spent the past few seasons near the bottom of the Eastern Conference without the type of high-level facilitator who could consistently maximize a center with Claxton’s skill set.
Claxton isn’t a center who needs post touches or designed isolation opportunities. He is a play finisher. At his best, he sets hard screens, rolls aggressively toward the rim, catches lobs and creates opportunities through his athleticism.
Mar 20, 2026; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton (33) hangs on the rim after a dunk during the second half against New York Knicks guard Mikal Bridges (25) at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn ImagesThat makes Josh Giddey potentially one of the most important players in Claxton’s attempt to bounce back.
Giddey is a willing passer who has shown an ability to find big men around the basket. Whether it comes through pick-and-rolls, transition opportunities, dump-offs or passes into the dunker spot, Giddey wants to get teammates involved.
That matters more than people might think.
When a rim-running center knows his point guard is looking for him, the energy level can change. Screens become harder. Rolls become more aggressive. Big men sprint the floor because they know there is a legitimate possibility they will be rewarded.
When they’re playing with guards who consistently miss them, the opposite can happen. A center starts falling behind the play because he knows the ball probably isn’t coming anyway.
The Bulls can give Claxton a situation where his effort offensively is consistently rewarded.
Chicago’s coaching staff could also be perfect for him.
Tiago Splitter spent seven seasons playing center in the NBA and worked with Portland’s big men last season, getting solid production out of Donovan Clingan and Robert Williams III. Splitter understands what the position requires, particularly for centers whose value comes through screening, rebounding, rim protection and doing the dirty work rather than dominating the ball.
Then there is Taj Gibson.
The longtime Bulls big man is now on Splitter’s staff and should help establish the defensive mentality Chicago wants from its frontcourt. Gibson made a 17-year NBA career out of toughness, effort, positioning and doing things that rarely appeared in the box score.
Feb 24, 2026; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton (33) at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images Those are exactly the areas where Claxton needs to rediscover his edge.
This Bulls team might not win significantly more games than the Nets teams Claxton played for. But the environment could feel completely different.
Chicago is building around a young roster that should play fast, compete and bring energy every night. Energy can be infectious. So can playing meaningful fourth quarters and feeling like everyone around you is invested in competing.
Claxton is still young enough that his best basketball doesn’t have to be behind him.
With Giddey feeding him offensively, Splitter coaching him and Gibson helping establish the defensive mentality from the sidelines, Chicago could offer Claxton something he desperately needed.
A fresh start.
And there is a real chance that fresh start rejuvenates both his energy and his career.
