NBA Trade Rumors: Celtics Eye $100 Million Nets Center Nic Claxton to Strengthen Frontcourt Support Around Superstar Jayson Tatum

The Boston Celtics may have won the 2024 NBA Championship, but that doesn’t mean President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens is ready to rest on his laurels. According to recent reports, the Celtics are exploring trade options to further solidify their frontcourt rotation—and one name that continues to surface is Brooklyn Nets big man Nic Claxton, who recently signed a $100 million contract.

Per NBA insider sources, Boston is “seriously monitoring” Claxton’s availability as they look to build a dominant interior presence around Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. While the Celtics boast a deep roster and just added Xavier Tillman Sr. and Kristaps Porzingis, Claxton’s name is catching attention due to his elite defensive metrics, switchability, and rim protection—areas Stevens and head coach Joe Mazzulla value highly.

Why Claxton?

Nic Claxton is coming off the best season of his young career. In 2023-24, he averaged 12.8 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game while shooting nearly 63% from the field. At just 25 years old, Claxton fits the timeline of Boston’s core stars and has quietly become one of the most versatile defensive bigs in the league.

His defensive rating (106.5) ranked among the top-10 for starting centers, and he showed the ability to switch onto guards while still protecting the paint. Claxton’s motor, length, and timing make him a dream fit in a Celtics system that values aggressive help-side defense and fast-paced transitions.

As one scout noted, “Claxton doesn’t need touches, doesn’t demand shots, but makes a huge impact. That’s the kind of guy who thrives on a championship team.”

Jayson Tatum Needs Support Inside

While Tatum continues to shoulder the offensive load for Boston, insiders believe he’s voiced a desire for more support in the post—particularly on the defensive end, where Porzingis’ health remains a concern. With Al Horford aging and Porzingis rehabbing from a plantar fascia injury, the Celtics are reportedly concerned about their long-term interior durability.

Adding a healthy, athletic, and mobile big man like Claxton would not only alleviate pressure on Tatum defensively but also open up more opportunities in the pick-and-roll game. Claxton’s lob-catching and screen-setting skills would pair well with Boston’s perimeter-driven offense.

An Eastern Conference executive put it bluntly: “If Boston gets Claxton, the rest of the league better brace for another dominant run. He’s that impactful.”

What Would the Trade Cost?

This is where things get tricky. Claxton signed a new 4-year, $100 million deal with the Nets this offseason, showing Brooklyn’s commitment to the young center. However, the Nets are reportedly willing to listen to offers if the return includes draft capital and a young player with upside.

For Boston to land Claxton, they would likely have to include a combination of draft picks and a rotation piece—possibly someone like Payton Pritchard, Sam Hauser, or even Oshae Brissett. Given their cap situation and Claxton’s new deal, the Celtics may need to involve a third team to make the salaries match.

Brad Stevens has shown he’s not afraid to make bold moves—last season’s trade for Jrue Holiday is proof of that. If he sees Claxton as the missing piece to extend Boston’s championship window, he’ll find a way to get it done.

How Would Claxton Fit?

With Claxton in the mix, Boston could deploy multiple big-man lineups, using Claxton alongside Porzingis or Horford in different looks. In small-ball situations, Claxton can operate as the lone big and still anchor the defense while running the floor like a wing.

He wouldn’t need plays run for him—his offense thrives off hustle, rebounds, putbacks, and slips to the rim. In many ways, Claxton is a perfect “glue guy,” capable of doing the dirty work while stars like Tatum and Brown handle scoring duties.

Mazzulla could experiment with defensive-minded lineups featuring Claxton, Derrick White, Jrue Holiday, and Jaylen Brown—creating nightmare matchups for opponents trying to find open shots.

Celtics’ Defensive Identity

One of the hallmarks of the 2023-24 Celtics was their ability to suffocate teams on the perimeter. With Holiday and White locking down guards and wings, Boston forced bad shots and capitalized on defensive stops. Adding Claxton would elevate this identity to another level.

Imagine a lineup of Holiday, White, Brown, Tatum, and Claxton—a versatile, switch-heavy unit with speed, length, and elite IQ. That’s the kind of defense that can win back-to-back titles.

Former NBA coach and analyst Jeff Van Gundy recently commented on the Celtics’ rumored pursuit of Claxton: “That’s a move that not only shows you’re going for it again, but also that you’re building something sustainable for years.”

What This Means for the Nets

Brooklyn is in a peculiar position. While they re-signed Claxton and traded for Dennis Schröder last season, they are also clearly building around Mikal Bridges and Cam Thomas. With Ben Simmons still a question mark and no clear path to contending, some executives believe Brooklyn is open to retooling around a younger core.

If the Celtics offer the right package—particularly draft picks in 2026 or beyond—Brooklyn could be tempted to part with Claxton. Especially if it allows them to offload other contracts or bring in additional cap flexibility.

Fan Reactions and Future Outlook

Celtics fans, naturally, have had mixed reactions to the rumor. While many see Claxton as a clear upgrade and perfect system fit, others are worried about the cost and how it could affect roster continuity.

Twitter/X user @BostonBuckets wrote:

“Nic Claxton would be a MONSTER in green. Brad, don’t overthink it. Just make the call.”

Meanwhile, another fan wrote:

“Don’t trade away depth for one guy—unless he’s shutting down Giannis or Embiid on night one.”

Regardless of the fanbase split, there’s a consensus that Boston isn’t standing pat after winning the title—and that should concern the rest of the league.

While the Celtics have no immediate need to make drastic changes, Brad Stevens knows how fleeting championship windows can be. With Jayson Tatum entering his prime and Al Horford nearing retirement, now may be the perfect time to add another defensive anchor.

Nic Claxton offers everything Boston could want in a modern center: defensive versatility, rim protection, rebounding, youth, and a team-first mentality. If the price is right, expect the Celtics to make a serious push—because repeating as champions takes more than talent. It takes evolution.

And Claxton could be the next step in that evolution.