2) Proposed Hawks trade brings Nets big man back to GA
This deal could be even more difficult to pull off since the Brooklyn Nets and Nic Claxton agreed to a four-year, $100 million contract ahead of free agency. However, that deal cannot be made official until Jul 6.
That could leave the door open for the Hawks to swoop in with an offer for Georgia native Nic Claxton. Hunter for Claxton works financially. But the Nets can argue they have all the leverage.
This hypothetical package could get the job done.
Claxton averaged 11.8 points and a career-high 9.9 rebounds with 2.1 assists and 2.1 blocks last season. He has also expressed and shown a willingness to expand his offensive range, though he has hit just three of his 19 career three-pointers.
The 6-foot-11 switchy big has also improved his durability, averaging 73 starts over the last two seasons after making no more than 47 appearances over his first three years in the league.
Brooklyn can probably net a cleaner first-round pick for Claxton.
The Hawks would need the appeal of what Hunter can still provide to be enough incentive to make them consider this package. As with the Ayton offer, they can adjust the capital if it helps, with their 2028, 2029, and 2030 first-rounders available for trade.
Claxton was a second-round pick, selected 31st overall in 2019. Before that, though he spent two years at the University of Georgia.
He was All-Sec as a sophomore in 2018-29.
More importantly, his skill set would blend well with Risacher and Johnson, offering even more switchability on defense. Adding Claxton – or Ayton, for that matter – brings Onyeka Okongwu’s future into question. He just signed a four-year,
However, the Hawks’ exploring Alexandre Sarr and Donovan Clingan as options at No. 1 could speak volumes to their long-term view on the position.
Schroder could also be rerouted in the final year of a two-year, $25.4 million contract.