The Brooklyn Nets made some interesting moves this offseason as they sought to improve significantly after finishing the 2025-26 NBA season with a lowly 20-62 record. Brooklyn’s biggest move of the season was acquiring forward Julius Randle from the Minnesota Timberwolves via trade, but they also had to give up center Nic Claxton in the process. Claxton recently wrote his goodbye to the team and the fanbase.
“These past seven years have been an amazing ride. I appreciate the Nets organization and fans for believing in me. I felt the love and support from day 1,” Claxton wrote in a letter that he posted to X on Saturday. As the result of the Nets acquiring Randle from the Timberwolves, Brooklyn sent Claxton to the Chicago Bulls where he will continue his career after spending seven seasons with the Nets.
“Through the ups and down, this city watched me grow into a man. I will always cherish my time spent there. I created so many beautiful memories and friendships that will last a lifetime,” Claxton continued in his letter. “I will forever be grateful I was able to call Brooklyn home. With all of that being said, it was time to move on. Thanks again for rocking with me. I will see y’all again.”
Claxton, 27, is coming off a 2025-26 season in which he averaged 11.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game while shooting 57.1% from the field and 61.6% from the free-throw line in 69 games played. Seven years ago, the Nets took Claxton with the 31st overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft out of Georgia where he went from being an early second-round pick to eventually earning the $97 million contract that he is currently playing under.
With Minnesota looking to shed payroll, the Nets took Randle and the No. 28 pick in exchange for the No. 33 pick and the Bulls were able to land a center that can play next to guard Josh Giddey and forward Caleb Wilson for the foreseeable future. While few, if any, people were expecting Claxton to be traded this summer, he now heads to a Chicago team in a similar rebuild, but the hope is that they can offer him what he’s looking for now.
This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Former Nets center Nic Claxton pens goodbye to team, fanbase
Reporting by Sharif Phillips-Keaton, Nets Wire / Nets Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Sharif Phillips-Keaton, Nets Wire | USA TODAY Network
