When Nets Welcome Back Williams, Claxton in 2026-27 Season

Ziaire Williams and Nicolas Claxton's tenure with the Brooklyn Nets ended this summer, and they'll return to the Barclays Center in different uniforms.

Brooklyn declined Williams' $6.25 million team option on June 28, making him an unrestricted free agent. He signed a one-year, $3 million veteran's minimum contract with the Los Angeles Lakers on July 13.

Brooklyn will host the Los Angeles Lakers on Feb. 4.

Williams spent two seasons with the Nets and averaged 10.1 points and 1.2 steals on 34.2% from three.

An influx of youth played a role in his departure. Coach Jordi Fernández said it was his job to develop the five first-round picks to see what the team should do in the summer.

Fernández would play the 24-year-old through the first three quarters and sit him in the fourth. That prioritization could have been an early signal that Williams was on the chopping block in the offseason.

Claxton was a much tougher loss. Brooklyn traded him to the Chicago Bulls in a four-team trade to acquire Julius Randle from the Minnesota Timberwolves.

He was the longest-tenured Net, as general manager Sean Marks drafted him 31st overall in 2019. Claxton gradually developed over the first three years of his career, then blossomed as a starting center after the Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden era.

The 2022-23 season was a breakout year, as he averaged 12.6 points and 9.2 rebounds. His rebounds increased to 9.9 in the following season, ranking 13th behind Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo.

While Brooklyn acquired a proven veteran in Randle, it lost a starting center. That role is open for Day'Ron Sharpe, who is viewed highly by the organization, to take in training camp.

The Nets will host the Bulls twice at home next season: Nov. 18 and Jan. 4.

Marks has turned the franchise around this offseason to compete and win games. It finished 20-62 last season and fell to the No. 6 pick despite having a 14.1% chance of winning the lottery.

Brooklyn has potentially found its point guard of the future with Mikel Brown Jr. He is the foundation of the youth movement alongside Egor Dëmin, paired with experienced veterans.

Williams and Claxton played their roles in helping the organization over the last several seasons. The Barclays Center and fans will likely welcome them back with open arms and cheers of appreciation for the time they spent with the team.