Nic Claxton Arrives to Fix a Defense That Finished 22nd

By the Bulls Nightly Desk · Sunday, September 27

Nic Claxton is the center the Bulls are trusting to replace what left with Nikola Vucevic, arriving from Brooklyn on a two-year deal. The tape says he has work to do before that trust is earned.

Nic Claxton of the Bulls — Nic Claxton. Photo: Erik Drost on Flickr, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

The vacancy. Claxton steps into the void left when Vucevic was traded away at last season's deadline, the lone proven center on a group that also added Norman Powell and drafted Caleb Wilson fourth overall this summer. Tiago Splitter needs a five who can anchor bodies in the paint from night one.

The Brooklyn line. Last season Claxton played 69 games for the Nets, averaging 27.8 minutes, 11.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.7 assists on 57.1 percent shooting. That efficiency mark stands out — he finishes what's around the rim, and the Bulls need someone who converts without needing plays run for him.

No jumper, and that's fine. He attempted just 0.3 threes a game last season, hitting 15.8 percent of them. Claxton isn't going to space the floor for Giddey or Buzelis — his value is as a screener, a lob target and a rim protector, not a shooter opposing defenses have to respect.

The defense didn't hold. Here's the catch: Claxton's own defensive rating last season was 120.3, and Brooklyn's net rating with him on the floor was minus-12.9 — worse than Chicago's team defensive rating of 117.4 on a defense that ranked 22nd in the league. He needs to be better here than his numbers suggest, not just adequate.

A passing center. His assist rate of 21.6 percent is high for a big man, evidence of real touch working handoffs rather than just catching lobs. Paired with Giddey and Buzelis in ball-screen actions, that skill could matter more for this offense than his raw scoring numbers do.

Two years, one bet. Claxton is signed for $23.1 million this season and $20.9 million next, a two-year runway rather than a long-term commitment. Chicago is betting he's part of the young core beyond that, not locking in the answer at center just yet.

Clean bill of health. Unlike three teammates whose availability is in question entering camp — Dailyn Swain, Zach Collins and Josh Giddey — Claxton isn't on the injury list. For a center expected to log real minutes right away, that matters more than it sounds.

On deck Preseason tips off October 7 versus the Suns, the first live look at Claxton anchoring this front line before the regular season starts October 21 at Toronto.

How much is Nic Claxton making with the Bulls?

He's on a two-year deal worth $23.1 million this season and $20.9 million in 2027-28.

Is Nic Claxton injured heading into camp?

No, he isn't on the injury list, unlike three teammates who are dealing with camp injuries.