Claxton focuses on next season as Nets close in on decade-worst record
claxton-focuses-on-next-season-as-nets-close-in-on-decade-worst-record
The Brooklyn Nets will take a 20-60 record into the final weekend of the 2025/26 campaign, their poorest showing in 10 years after winning 26 games last season. Starting center Nic Claxton acknowledged the mental strain of the slide but said he is searching for positives and expects progress in 2026/27.
“Going into games you have to go in with the mindset, ‘OK, we’re going to win this game,’” the 26-year-old told the New York Post. “It can be seeing our rookies go out and spread their wings and gain confidence. It can be me maturing and finding that peace within myself no matter what’s going on out there on the court. Then next year hopefully we get some more actual wins.”
Claxton has averaged 11.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and a career-best 3.7 assists in 27.8 minutes over 69 appearances. He has missed the last three games with a sprain to the fifth finger on his right hand. After an MRI earlier in the week, he said he does not expect to need surgery: “Give it some time to rest. I think it’ll heal up. Not trying to have any procedures.”
Head coach Jordi Fernandez’s career record dropped to 46-116 (.284) with this season’s struggles, yet he stressed that holding one of the NBA’s 30 coaching jobs remains “very special.” Speaking to the New York Daily News, the second-year coach called Brooklyn “home for us,” adding that his goal is to guide the franchise through its rebuild and “sustain” future success.
Brooklyn did not pursue Giannis Antetokounmpo before February’s trade deadline, but the front office could revisit the idea this summer, according to the New York Post. One league source said the Nets “will make calls” for top-tier stars, noting that Antetokounmpo has long been viewed internally as the organization’s “white whale.” The club hopes to be more competitive starting in 2026/27.
Possible changes to the NBA draft lottery now under league consideration could aid Brooklyn, which owns multiple future first-round picks in addition to its own. However, the concepts outlined so far have drawn criticism for potential unintended consequences.
Source: Hoops Rumors
