6 trade targets for Rockets' GM Rafael Stone

1. Nic Claxton

I know what you're thinking.

Why would the Brooklyn Nets trade Nic Claxton, who is just 24-years-old and is fresh off averaging 12.6 points, 9.2 rebounds, 2.5 blocks, and a league-leading 70.5 percent from the field and 70.8 percent on 2-pointers?

Well, it's not so far-fetched of an idea, as they've shopped him before, according to ESPN's Zach Lowe, who is beyond well-respected. 

"I think one thing that happened at the trade deadline that I heard was that they were very close to a deal with Toronto that would have sent Claxton to Toronto for a first round pick and some protections on it,” said Lowe on ESPN’s Lowe Post. “I think their intention was to sort of refit the roster by maybe flipping that pick for another wing, another shooter."

There's also the possibility that the Nets decide to blow it up, realizing that their roster isn't good enough to be legitimate contenders in the Eastern Conference. And since their picks belong to the Houston Rockets, as a result of the James Harden trade, they'd need to strip down their roster to regain more draft capital.

Claxton was a Defensive Player of the Year candidate and is possesses rare versatility on the defensive end.

Simply put, Claxton is a defensive anchor. 

The Rockets couldn't acquire a better big man than Claxton. Also, Rockets coach Ime Udoka is familiar with Claxton, as he previously served as an assistant with the Brooklyn Nets.