Mitchell Robinson is expected to miss the remainder of the 2023-24 NBA season. For the New York Knicks, this is devastating. This is a competitive team, and they’ve come to rely on Robinson.
He’s their defensive anchor. Few big men in the NBA can defend the rim like Robinson. Sure, Isaiah Hartenstein is a capable replacement in terms of talent.
In terms of functionality, he isn’t the same player. The Knicks’ defense will suffer without Robinson. Unless they replace him, that is.
Seeing the Knicks explore the trade market for a big man with a similar skill set wouldn’t be a surprise.
Could they acquire Nicolas Claxton from the Brooklyn Nets?
NBA Trade Proposal: New York Knicks Land Brooklyn Nets’ Nic Claxton
Brooklyn Nets Receive: G/F Evan Fournier, 2024 First-Round Pick (NYK), 2026 First-Round Pick (Top-5 Protected – NYK)
New York Knicks Receive: F Royce O’Neale, C Nicolas Claxton
With that said, injuries are a part of life in the NBA. They’re the worst part. Every year, we see a team’s hopes dashed by an untimely injury.
The Nets have already dealt with it this year. Ben Simmons looked like he was making a comeback when the season got underway. Simmons again looked like a player who could impact winning in this league. Unfortunately, an injury derailed his season.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Nic Claxton, Brooklyn Nets, New York Knicks Updates
That said, a smart team has contingency plans for a Simmons injury. After all, he’s injury-prone. On the other hand, Robinson isn’t a player you assume will get hurt.
Should the Knicks acquire Claxton to replace him?
Why The New York Knicks Do The Deal
Claxton is not a Robinson replica. These are different players. Robinson is significantly bigger and stronger. On the other hand, in some ways, that works in Claxton’s favor.
After all, he’s among the most versatile bigs in the NBA. Claxton is a rare 1-through-5 defender. He’d give this team a new dynamic on the defensive end of the floor.
It’s worth noting that he can’t co-exist with Robinson. It’s also worth noting that Claxton is due for an extension this summer.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Nic Claxton, Brooklyn Nets, New York Knicks Updates
Those are concerns, but we still think this deal is worth the Knicks’ time. In theory, they could extend Claxton this summer and trade Robinson.
Should the Nets even trade Claxton?
Why The Brooklyn Nets Do The Deal
The Nets are in a bit of an odd spot. They’re in the play-in hunt, but they have no title chances. At the same time, they may not have any interest in a deal that makes them worse.
After all, they’ll be sending the Houston Rockets their next first-round pick no matter where it lands. That shouldn’t necessarily stop them from making the deal. If the Nets have to concede one lottery pick to the Rockets, that’s not the end of the world.
They owe Houston control of their draft through to 2027. By making this deal, they could ensure that the rest of the picks they send them land well outside the lottery.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Nic Claxton, Brooklyn Nets, New York Knicks Updates
After all, they’d only be eventually landing this draft capital to package it for a star. The Nets already have a strong collection of first-round picks.
If they add two more to their arsenal, they could likely acquire whichever star requests the next trade. Hopefully, they can stay healthy until then.
