The Golden State Warriors have always thrived on their unique brand of basketball, built around speed, three-point spacing, and the brilliance of Stephen Curry. But as the franchise looks ahead, one major void has emerged in the middle: the departure of Kevon Looney in free agency.
Looney was never a superstar, but he was a steady, reliable big man who anchored Golden State’s small-ball lineups with hustle, defense, and rebounding. Now, with their depth chart lacking a true rim protector and interior presence, the Warriors may have no choice but to explore bold avenues to shore up their frontcourt.
Enter Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton, an athletic, mobile big man who fits the modern game and could thrive in Steve Kerr’s system. At just 25 years old, Claxton has developed into one of the league’s better defensive anchors, capable of switching onto guards while still providing rim protection.
His ability to run the floor, finish around the basket, and disrupt opposing offenses makes him a natural fit next to Golden State’s perimeter stars. For a Warriors team intent on squeezing another title run out of its core, Claxton could be an acquisition that balances small-ball versatility with a much-needed physical presence in the paint.
Proposed Trade Details
Golden State Warriors Receive: Nic Claxton
Brooklyn Nets Receive: Moses Moody, Buddy Hield, 2032 first-round pick
Golden State Warriors Create A Dominant Starting Lineup If They Retain Kuminga
For years, the Warriors have relied on Kevon Looney to provide interior stability, but the loss of their longtime center has created a glaring need. Adding Nic Claxton (10.3 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 1.4 BPG) into the mix solves that instantly.
He brings elite rim protection, switchable defense, and vertical spacing to a Warriors team that already thrives on speed and shooting. With Claxton anchoring the paint, Golden State could play its trademark small-ball lineups without giving up size or interior defense.
What makes this trade especially compelling is the possibility of keeping Jonathan Kuminga. If the Warriors manage to hold onto their versatile forward, they’d boast one of the league’s most balanced starting units: Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, Jonathan Kuminga, Draymond Green, and Nic Claxton.
That lineup blends experience with youth, shooting with athleticism, and perimeter brilliance with defensive grit. Claxton’s presence in the middle would free Kuminga to focus on cutting, slashing, and using his athleticism in transition. Of course, Butler and Draymond would benefit from such athleticism and youth in the frontcourt.
Such a starting five would not only be dangerous offensively but would also allow the Warriors to climb back into the upper echelon of NBA defenses. With Curry orchestrating around the new acquisition, Golden State would suddenly have a lineup capable of going toe-to-toe with any contender in the West.
Brooklyn Nets Acquire A Key Youngster And First-Round Pick
From Brooklyn’s perspective, moving Claxton isn’t ideal, but it makes sense given their current position. The Nets are retooling after the end of their failed superstar era and need to stockpile young talent and draft capital.
By landing Moses Moody, they acquire a 23-year-old wing (9.8 PPG, 2.6 RPG) with untapped potential. Moody has shown flashes as a strong 3-and-D player (37.4% 3-PT FG), and with a bigger role in Brooklyn, he could blossom into a core piece for the next phase of their rebuild.
The inclusion of Buddy Hield (11.1 PPG, 37.0% 3-PT FG) provides the Nets with a reliable veteran who can keep their offense competitive in the short term. Hield’s elite shooting will space the floor for their younger players while also giving Brooklyn a potential trade chip at the deadline.
Even if Hield doesn’t fit the long-term timeline since he is almost 33 years old, his presence ensures that the Nets maintain offensive firepower while they develop players like Moody, Cam Thomas, and Dariq Whitehead. On top of that, securing a 2032 first-round pick from the Warriors adds another future asset to Brooklyn’s war chest.
While that pick is years away, it could become valuable if Golden State eventually transitions away from the Curry era. In the long run, this deal balances present-day competency with future flexibility, giving the Nets the kind of assets they need to continue building a sustainable contender.
A Strong Trade For The Warriors To Push For A Final NBA Championship
For Golden State, this trade is about maximizing the final years of Stephen Curry’s legendary career. At 37, Curry still plays at an MVP-caliber level, but the Warriors can’t afford to waste any opportunities. By acquiring Claxton, they give themselves a chance to remain competitive while extending their championship window.
This is a win-now gamble to give Curry, Butler, and Draymond Green one last shot at glory. Claxton’s fit in Steve Kerr’s system is seamless. His mobility allows him to thrive in pick-and-roll actions with Curry, while his rim protection covers for Golden State’s perimeter defenders as they age.
The Warriors have long thrived with centers who do the dirty work, and Claxton takes that blueprint to the next level with elite athleticism and defensive instincts. There isn’t much debate that Claxton is a better all-around player than Looney as well in terms of offensive production and athleticism.
If this deal goes through, the Warriors immediately transform from a playoff team to a legitimate contender. Their starting lineup becomes one of the most balanced in the league, their defense improves dramatically, and their core gets the interior help it has desperately lacked.
