Golden State remains linked to the Brooklyn Nets ahead of a potential NBA trade move. But which player have they grown interested in?
The Golden State Warriors potentially adding Michael Porter Jr. is slowly coming to a cease.
Porter Jr. once was considered a rising contender to land in the Bay Area. But new league intel points to Golden State looking at another Brooklyn Nets star.
So if it's not MPJ, who else could GSW look into?
Michael Scotto of Hoops Hype told the YES Network that Nic Claxton is drawing some trade intrigue. Along with the Dubs, he also mentioned an Eastern Conference team becoming interested in the Nets' big.
"A couple of teams that have had some interest. You look at the Indiana Pacers right now, who are actively looking on the market in general to find an upgrade after they lost Myles Turner. You’ve also got the Golden State Warriors, who are looking at various center options across the league as well. And there are other teams looking at Nic as well,” Scotto said on YES Network.
It's not presently known what the other teams are. But it's sounding like Claxton could become the second-most tradable asset from the Nets. He and Porter join Cam Thomas as Nets players appearing to drift elsewhere ahead of the NBA trade deadline or even during the summer.
But will Brooklyn, from head coach Jordi Fernandez to general manager Sean Marks, entertain the idea of sending away Claxton? Which additionally means trading away the top big on the Brooklyn roster?
Nets insider for ClutchPoints Erik Slater helped explain that situation. Turns out Claxton-to-GSW could become realistic over time.
"Meanwhile, the Warriors appear unlikely to make a star trade at the deadline following Jimmy Butler's season-ending torn ACL. However, Claxton could offer a cheaper alternative as they aim to remain competitive around Stephen Curry," Slater said.
He adds: "Golden State has a glaring need for an upgrade at its center position, which currently features Al Horford, Quinten Post and Trayce Jackson-Davis."
Both franchises are long intertwined with one another with the league's trade deadline arriving early next month. Slater adds GSW presents a money-matching option too.
"The Nets have been linked to the Warriors in a three-team trade involving Jonathan Kuminga. Golden State could also match Claxton's salary by using Moses Moody ($11.6 million), Buddy Hield ($9.2 million), and Horford ($5.7 million)," Slater said.
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