The Brooklyn Nets received concerning news on Nic Claxton's injury status on Friday. Claxton was questionable for Brooklyn's first NBA Cup game against the New York Knicks, but the team later revealed he was suffering from a lower back strain and would remain out with his status to be updated in one week, as reported by Erik Slater of ClutchPoints.
Hopefully, Claxton will undergo a speedy injury recovery with no setbacks. Thankfully, the Nets have Ben Simmons and Noah Clowney to fill the void of Claxton's absence. Furthermore, the team is supposed to update fellow injured center Day'Ron Sharpe's status within a week as well.
Still, Brooklyn might need extra depth, given Simmons' rest requirements, Sharpe's unknown status, and the need to not overwhelm Clowney. Here are two free agents the Nets can sign to help alleviate their woes.
1. Harry Giles III
Brooklyn would have a familiar face with Harry Giles. The former 2017 20th overall pick played for the Nets during the 2023-24 season, averaging 3.4 points and 1.6 rebounds in a limited 5.6 minutes per game. Giles was a highly-touted prospect, boasting ESPN's No. 1 recruit spot for the Class of 2016.
Injuries slowed Giles down, but he still made it to the NBA and built a sound foundation with the Sacramento Kings. He made a brief stop with the Portland Trail Blazers before joining the Nets and later the Los Angeles Lakers for one season apiece.
Giles signed a deal with the Charlotte Hornets during the 2024-25 preseason, but the team waived him before the regular season. He remains a free agent, and his 6-foot-10 frame, experience, and interior abilities might serve the Nets well in this time of need.
2. Moses Brown
Like Harry Giles, the Nets have some familiarity with Moses Brown. Brown started his career with the Portland Trail Blazers and made stops with several other teams, including the Oklahoma City Thunder, Dallas Mavericks, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Los Angeles Clippers. He briefly appeared with Brooklyn during the 2022-23 season, playing in just two regular season games.
His best stint came with the Thunder in 2020-21, where he averaged 8.6 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks in 21.4 minutes across 43 games. At 7-foot-2, Brown would give Brooklyn some immediate size on the inside. Moreover, at just 25 years old, the Nets could draw out some potential he has yet to untap. Brown signed with the Knicks ahead of the regular season but was waived, and his services might still be available.
In the meantime, Brooklyn will continue to do all it can to stay afloat amid its injury woes. Surely, the squad's big men will continue to recover and eventually get back to providing stout production.