Woj: Nets Seeking Frontcourt Reinforcements at NBA Trade Deadline Behind Nic Claxton

Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton is in the midst of a breakout campaign, but the Nets lack depth in the frontcourt and suffer when he's on the bench.

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported on Saturday's episode of NBA Countdown that the Nets will be looking to add a backup big man prior to this year's trade deadline on Feb. 9.

"Along their front line, you look at what Nic Claxton has done this year—borderline All-Star, had his best week as an NBA player last week," Wojnarowski said. "But you see when he is off the floor how vulnerable the Nets are on that front line. So they'll be looking for some athleticism, some size in the frontcourt between now and the trade deadline."

Claxton has started all 45 games he's played for Brooklyn and he's averaging career highs across the board with 13.2 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.7 blocks and a league-best 74.3 field goal percentage. He's enjoyed a recent surge in production, recording 20 points or more in each of his last five games.

The Nets have been leaning on the 2019 second-round pick more in the absence of star forward Kevin Durant, who has been out since Jan. 8 with a sprained MCL. Claxton is Brooklyn's best frontcourt defender and has established himself as one of the front-runners for NBA Defensive Player of the Year.

When Claxton is off the floor, the Nets usually deploy Ben Simmons as a small-ball five. However, the three-time All-Star is not nearly the player he once was and doesn't create the mismatches necessary for Brooklyn's lineup to be effective with him at center. The Nets' other frontcourt options include veteran Markieff Morris and second-year big Day'Ron Sharpe, but neither of them have seen much playing time this season.

Brooklyn (29-19) is riding a two-game skid into Saturday's rivalry game against the New York Knicks (27-23). The Nets' frontcourt depth is sure to be tested once again, as Simmons will miss the matchup with a knee injury.