What’s the best way to build an NBA contender? Are there any actual benefits in growing your team organically through the draft? Or is it best to land as many stars as possible via trade and free agency? Every general manager in the league needs to answer these questions.
The Brooklyn Nets may have their answers. This organization tried to build a superteam through free agency and trades. It didn’t work. Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving are gone. Now, the Nets are left with a solid, deep roster and a mountain of draft capital – and no chance of playing for the NBA title.
On the other hand, the Golden State Warriors were homegrown. This team built a champion through the draft. It’s been almost a decade since their first title run, and the Warriors are still contenders. Could they acquire Nicolas Claxton to bolster their title odds in 2024-25?
The Trade Proposal
Brooklyn Nets Receive: F Jonathan Kuminga, G/F Moses Moody
Golden State Warriors Receive: C Nicolas Claxton
It’s never wise to conclude based on a limited sample size. We’re dealing with two case studies here. The success of the Warriors and the shortcomings of the Nets do not prove that building through the draft is better than building via other methods. Let’s dig deeper.
How have recent champions been built? Well, the Denver Nuggets are a classic example of a homegrown champion. The Warriors won again in 2021-22. The Milwaukee Bucks before them were largely homegrown, but the Los Angeles Lakers were built through trades and free agency,. The Toronto Raptors were mostly drafted – but if they hadn’t traded for Kawhi Leonard, it’s unlikely that they’d have gotten over the hump.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Nic Claxton, Brooklyn Nets & Golden State Warriors Updates
What’s the lesson here? It does seem like the league is trending towards homegrown championships. At the same time, talent comes first. Does adding Claxton give the Warriors enough talent to win another title?
Why The Golden State Warriors Do The Deal
We think so. Some Warriors fans may see this as a misallocation of resources. After all, Kevon Looney has been doing his job well for a long time. Why add Claxton?
Well, he’s significantly better. We don’t mean to disrespect Looney – he’s an impactful role player. Claxton is perhaps the most defensively versatile big man in the NBA. He can guard across positions. Offensively, Claxton can finish pick and rolls and attacking defenses out of dribble hand-off sets.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Nic Claxton, Brooklyn Nets & Golden State Warriors Updates
Imagine him next to Draymond Green. The Warriors could build a dominant defense. Meanwhile, it’s becoming clear that they won’t find a prominent role for Kuminga as long as they’re contending. Should the Nets give him a major role?
Why The Brooklyn Nets Do The Deal
After their failed attempt to build a super team, the Nets are in a precocious spot. They have a deep platoon of quality players and a boatload of draft picks. Yet, the Nets do not own their draft capital. They traded the bulk of it to the Houston Rockets in exchange for Harden.
So, the Nets have no incentive to tank. Meanwhile, this deal will undeniably make them worse. These are fair concerns. We still think the deal is worth their time. Kuminga has the highest upside of anybody in this group, and the Nets may be weary of extending Claxton this summer in the first place.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Nic Claxton, Brooklyn Nets & Golden State Warriors Updates
Will the Nets send the Rockets a lottery pick? It’s possible. They shouldn’t give into the sunk cost fallacy. This deal improves their future, and if they want to trade for a star, they could package Kuminga with their excess draft capital down the line. That’s one way to build a contender, anyway.
