The Nets established themselves as sellers well before this month’s NBA trade deadline, parting with point guard Dennis Schroder and forward Dorian Finney-Smith in separate deals in December. Last week, Brooklyn agreed to a buyout with point guard Ben Simmons, who has since signed with the Los Angeles Clippers.

Sixth-year center Nic Claxton has led a Nets defensive resurgence during a 4-1 stretch over the team's last five games.

The Brooklyn Nets (19-34) have been playing some stout defense over the past couple of weeks as they seek to win games without having to put up a ton of points against their opponents. In Monday's game against the Charlotte Hornets (13-38),