Brooklyn Nets centers Nic Claxton and Day'Ron Sharpe
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Brooklyn quietly controls one of the league’s most valuable trade assets: two centers, two team-friendly deals, real leverage.
The Brooklyn Nets are quietly holding one of the league’s most intriguing trade-deadline advantages: two productive centers on team-friendly contracts, both drawing real interest across the NBA.
According to NBA reporter Evan Sidery, multiple teams have reached out to Brooklyn regarding Day’Ron Sharpe as trade season intensifies. Sharpe remains under contract through the 2026-27 season, including a $6.3 million team option, an increasingly valuable figure for a rotation big who has taken a legitimate step forward this year.
Day’Ron Sharpe’s Offensive Growth Is No Longer Theoretical
Although it has taken some time, the growth of Day’Ron Sharpe is undeniable.
Long viewed as an energy rebounder whose finishing lagged behind his physical tools, the 24-year-old has directly addressed the most glaring weakness in his offensive profile. Through the 2025–26 season, Sharpe is shooting 75 percent at the rim and a career-high 43 percent from floater range, according to Cleaning the Glass. Both marks represent substantial improvements and have reshaped how defenses must account for him around the paint.
Those efficiency gains have translated into dependable production. Sharpe is averaging 7.7 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game in a backup role, providing consistent physicality without compromising spacing or ball movement. And when given extended opportunities, his impact becomes clearer.
In 17 career starts, Sharpe has averaged 11 points, nine rebounds, and two assists in roughly 24 minutes per game, including four offensive rebounds per contest. In those starts, Brooklyn has won his minutes by a combined 27 points, a notable indicator of lineup stability and second-unit effectiveness.
Sharpe, however, is only half of Brooklyn’s center-market appeal.
Nic Claxton’s Value Continues to Climb Across the League
Nic Claxton continues to command attention from contending teams seeking defensive anchors with mobility and contract certainty. HoopsHype Senior NBA Insider Michael Scotto confirmed on YES Network that several teams, including the Indiana Pacers and Golden State Warriors, have shown significant interest.
“Couple teams that have shown interest, you look at the Indiana Pacers right now who are actively looking on the market to find an upgrade after they lost Myles Turner. You’ve also got the Golden State Warriors who are looking at various center options as well across the league. This is a guy who has helped anchor the No. 1 defense in December for the Brooklyn Nets. I think when you look at Nic Claxton for the Nets, he’s a guy that they do view as part of the future, but he’s certainly gotten interest around the league.”
— Michael Scotto, HoopsHype Senior NBA Insider, via YES Network
Claxton’s on-court performance supports that interest. Over his last 14 games, he is averaging 12.9 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 4.4 assists while shooting 62.4 percent from the field. His defensive versatility, switchability, and passing growth have helped stabilize Brooklyn’s interior while allowing perimeter defenders to apply more pressure.
Just as important as production is cost certainty. Claxton is on a descending contract that keeps him under team control for two additional seasons beyond this year, $23 million next season and $20 million in 2027-28, before becoming an unrestricted free agent ahead of his age-29 season. In an era defined by apron management and cap flexibility, that structure significantly boosts his trade value.
Why Brooklyn’s Center Duo Stands Out In This Trade Market
When placed alongside a center market that includes names such as Anthony Davis, Jakob Poeltl, and Robert Williams III, Brooklyn’s duo stands out for a different reason. Sharpe and Claxton offer a rare blend of youth, durability, defensive reliability, and contract flexibility—traits that front offices increasingly prioritize over raw star power.
With the trade deadline approaching, the Nets are positioned not just as sellers, but as leverage holders. Whether Brooklyn ultimately moves one, both, or neither, the league’s attention signals a simple reality: few teams are as quietly well-stocked at center as the Nets right now.