Nic Claxton takes on new responsibilities as Nets have longest tenure

Nic Claxton suddenly finds himself the longest-tenured player on the Nets, noting that such a rise in seniority “happens quickly” in the NBA.

The 25-year-old midfielder expects to play in the season opener in Atlanta on Wednesday after missing the team’s four preseason games due to a hamstring problem. He declared himself “ready to go” to open his sixth NBA season.

Claxton, who returned to Brooklyn on Monday as a full participant to practice with the team, tapped a series of established former teammates who helped him prepare to take on more of a leadership role this year for a rebuilding Brooklyn squad .

“I’ve had a lot of good vets since I’ve been in the league, and I’ve been able to gain a lot of knowledge from a lot of different players (and) coaches,” Claxton said after practice. “DeAndre Jordan, Blake (Griffin), KD (Kevin Durant), Kyrie (Irving), James (Harden), Caris (LeVert), they’re so many guys and I’m a sponge. I always listen and remember things.

“So just taking what I learned from those guys and all the things I saw on the field, helping others, and also just taking my game to another level.”

The Nets are counting on that, too, after offering Claxton a four-year, $100 million contract extension in June.

The 6-foot-4 Claxton averaged nearly a double-double last season with 11.8 points and a career-best 9.9 rebounds over 71 games.

“My expectations for the team are just to compete,” Claxton said. “I mean, obviously we don’t have a whole bunch of super high expectations this year, but just come out every night and compete and fight and play the game the right way and let the chips fall where they may.

“And for myself: just keep growing as a player, as a leader for the group.”

Claxton felt his return to practice Monday “went well,” and first-year Nets coach Jordi Fernandez noted it was “good to have a real focal point on the court, and I think everyone could feel his energy.” ‘

In the absence of Claxton and backup center Day’Ron Sharpe, who is also sidelined with a hamstring injury, Fernandez used a smaller lineup with two point guards – Dennis Schroder and 6-10 Ben Simmons – with the latter playing the opposing bigs in guarded the defense. end.

“I think it was good. I think it was good for the group to be put in those situations because you never know what’s going to happen all season,” Claxton said. “It was good for (sophomore forward) Noah (Clowney) to be able to get some good reps at the five. And now that I’m back, we can kind of see what everything looks like.

To that end, Claxton noted that “it’s definitely going to take me a few games” to get his timing back, though Fernandez declined to say whether there will be minutes restrictions in Wednesday’s game against the Hawks.

“That’s a good question and I’m not going to answer it for obvious reasons because I’m not giving away any secrets, but he’s doing a really good job,” Fernandez said. “We are very happy with where he is physically now. Health is our number 1 priority and he has done very well.”

Claxton also admitted that his new nine-figure contract feels like “a weight has been lifted off his shoulders.”

“It’s the first time I feel like I’m not worried about the contract, I’m not worried about staying healthy, I just have to come out here and just have fun playing basketball,” Claxton said . “I just want to feel like a kid again and just enjoy this with a younger group.

“I’m curious to see what it looks like. It’s a new system, so I’m going to learn a lot, but I’m ready for it.”