The Brooklyn Nets made a surprising decision early on in this offseason when they traded center Nic Claxton to the Chicago Bulls in a three-team trade that brought them forward Julius Randle and the No. 28 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft from the Minnesota Timberwolves. There was little indication that Claxton was on the trading block, but either way, Claxton and his family gave their goodbye to the Nets.
“This is where we met, and where we started our family. We are so grateful for every moment and every person who made this chapter so special,” Claxton’s fiance, Mariah Castro, wrote in an Instagram post discussing the move. Claxton, 27, spent the first seven seasons of his career with the Nets after being taken by the team with the 31st overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft out of Georgia.
“I am so incredibly proud of Nic for all he has accomplished these past seven years. The journey continues, and we are excited for this next chapter,” Castro continued in her Instagram post. “Brooklyn will always have a special place in our hearts. With love, Nic, Mariah, & Kai.”
Claxton is coming off arguably the best season of his career as he averaged 11.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game while shooting 57.1% from the field and 61.6% from the free-throw line. Starting in 297 of the 380 games that he played in a Nets uniform, Claxton averaged 10.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game during his tenure in Brooklyn.
Claxton now takes his talents to a Bulls team that is in a similar rebuilding situation to the Nets, but he will likely be the starting center alongside players like Josh Giddey and Caleb Wilson, the No. 4 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. While Claxton will be missed by the Nets fanbase, he is moving on to a situation that should be able to benefit him at this part of his career, but his family is appreciative of their time with the team.
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