Report: Raptors were close to acquiring Nets' Claxton at deadline
The Toronto Raptors were close to trading for Brooklyn Nets big man Nic Claxton prior to last week's deadline, sources told ESPN's Zach Lowe.
The Nets were looking to tinker with their roster after acquiring Andre Drummond in the blockbuster James Harden-Ben Simmons deal, which gave them a handful of big men. However, a trade with the Raptors inevitably fell through.
Toronto would have reportedly sent a protected first-round pick back to Brooklyn. The team instead traded it to the San Antonio Spurs along with Goran Dragic for veteran forward Thaddeus Young.
Claxton is putting together a career-best campaign in Brooklyn, scoring 9.1 points and 5.6 rebounds per contest while shooting 64% from the field. The third-year pro has struggled to stay on the floor, suiting up in just 25 games this season.
Notably, the 6-foot-11 Claxton would have been the tallest player on the Raptors - the only NBA franchise currently without a player over 6-foot-9.