Nic Claxton has been in the league for four seasons since being drafted by the Nets in 2019, and in that time, he has seen multiple head coaching changes, trade requests by the team’s three biggest stars, culminating in Kyrie Irving’s desire to leave Brooklyn, which was granted on Monday with a trade to the Mavericks.
For Claxton, it was just the latest bit of drama that seems to be a norm around the franchise since he came into the league.
“It's been a whirlwind I've become all too familiar with being here for four years,” Claxton said. “But you can’t control it. Just gotta keep rolling with it. You come out here and still have a job to do every single night.”
The whirlwind might not be over with Irving’s departure, as now all eyes turn toward Kevin Durant, and whether he will put his own trade request back on the table after rescinding it before the season. But as for Irving, despite the drama he caused, even before he wanted out, Claxton says he will be missed, no matter what his reputation is around the league.
“That's still my brother, my mentor,” Claxton said. “We'll continue to have a close relationship off the court. Our relationship always transcended basketball. He was one of the best teammates I've had, despite what people wanted to say.”
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