The Nets are getting closer to full health, as their center Nic Claxton is inching closer to a full workload.
After missing the preseason with hamstring woes, Claxton has come off the bench in five of their six regular-season tilts as he ramps up.
The one he missed came when he was held out of the win in Memphis on the tail end of a back-to-back.
But as his minutes limit eases, he’s getting closer to the starting lineup.
“Minute-wise, obviously it’s my secret that I’m going to keep for me and my team, especially before games. But he’s done good. We like where he is at right now,” coach Jordi Fernandez said. “Him taking one of the two games off was part of the plan because we have to be cautious. Health is the No. 1 thing.
“Right now, we just want to see him play consistently every game but also play more minutes. It’s going to happen. Obviously, I’m not going to tell when at the end of the day, but [everyone] will see it.”
With the Nets having two back-to-backs this week — Sunday against the Pistons and Monday’s rematch vs. Grizzlies, then Friday in Boston and Saturday at Cleveland — it begs the question of when he’ll be ready to play both ends.
“I want to see Nic play every game,” Fernandez said. “We’ll assess him [Saturday] then we will decide if he’ll play the first, second, or both. And there’s a chance for everything. It’s just based on how he is feeling.”
Backup center Day’Ron Sharpe is still out for several weeks with his own hamstring injury. But Trendon Watford, out since the second day of camp, is close to a return.
Watford had initially been cleared to make his season debut Friday, listed as available before being ruled out after his left hamstring flared up in warm-ups.
“He’s worked really hard to get himself back healthy and it’s just good to have him around. Just such a good energy, great personality,” Fernandez said. “I have to help him get back into rhythm. He’ll get there.”
Watford carved out a role late last season as a secondary playmaker and point-forward. It’s unclear what his role will be now, especially with Ben Simmons healthy.
“It’s a good question. I think he’ll let me know. He’ll show me. That’s what players do,” Fernandez said. “Those guys are so good, and they just teach you, show you.
“I’m sure he could be a prominent ball handler, he can shoot well. I want him to be efficient at doing almost everything, be very versatile. So that means that he’s gonna have more chances to play more minutes, because the more things you do, then the more chances you have to play. Excited to see it.”
