NBA Draft 2019 Prospect Watch: Nicolas Claxton

Strengths

When developing the modern day NBA center archetype, there are four combinations of offensive and defensive traits that are most valuable: Floor spacing with rim protection (think Brook Lopez), floor spacing with switch-ability (think Al Horford), rim-running with rim protection (think Rudy Gobert), or rim-running with switch-ability (think Clint Capela).

As long as your big men have any of these four combinations, NBA coaching staffs can normally put them into a position to succeed.

Nic Claxton was his own archetype at the University of Georgia, in that he was able to provide all four of these traits in a passable manner, with the added bonus of having the ball-handling capabilities that a wing would normally possess.

Let’s start with the defense, as his combination of rim protection and switch-ability outshines all, and his NBA projection is built around this massive potential.

Claxton’s length and weak-side positional awareness led to him being the SEC leader in blocks at 2.5 per game. He also averaged 1.1 steals per game, which raised his stocks (steal + blocks) to 3.6 per game. Compare that to his ability to avoid fouling (2.8 per game), and his box score impact alone on the defensive end is magnificent.

What makes these numbers more impressive is the fact that Claxton is not tasked with guarding only slower footed big men. Claxton can seamlessly switch onto guards and wings on the perimeter, and hold his own with terrific footwork, hip fluidity, and once again, innate length. No matter how Claxton’s offensive game develops, he will always have this defensive foundation to fall back on.

Switching over to Claxton’s offensive strengths, a 5-man that can shoot has arguably more value in Mike Budenholzer’s offense than most others. Claxton has a really nice foundation for developing his left-handed perimeter jumper. While not an elite marksman at this stage in his development, Claxton shot 30.2 percent from three-point range in his college career. Even having the threat of attempting the shot opens up space for Claxton to attack a closeout, something he excels at for a 6’11.75″ player.

While Georgia did not use Claxton in the pick and roll very much, they did at times utilize the pick and pop as a base set, allowing Claxton, as the screen-man, to be the decision-maker on the perimeter if the ball was passed to him.

On Other possessions he would be the primary initiator of the offense (Georgia rarely used a traditional point guard), also having no issue with being a “grab and go” type player following a defensive rebound, the trait that Giannis Antetokounmpo has mastered.

As you will see in the video below, Claxton has a high degree of comfort with the ball in his hands isolated on the perimeter, but just as much comfort cutting and moving off the ball like a wing would normally do. He has the ability to finish easily around the rim, where his 7’2.5″ wingspan serves him well, but also understands passing angles if a double team comes.

While the video only focused on Claxton’s offensive possessions, you are seeing the tools the NBA coaches will have to work with on the side of the ball that is not considered his calling card. The potential is limitless, and Claxton’s ceiling is about as high as you can find for a player projected to be chosen in the draft between picks 15-45.