Nets pick Nicolas Claxton to open second round of NBA draft

Nicolas ClaxtonThe Nets actually kept a draft pick.

After trading the No. 27 pick to the Clippers during the NBA draft, the Nets selected Georgia star forward Nicolas Claxton with the No. 31 pick. It was the first pick of the second round.

Claxton shot up draft boards this season, averaging 13 points for the Bulldogs after a disappointing freshman year.

The Nets sent the No. 17 pick to the Hawks before the draft, and like the Clippers trade on Thursday night, it was about freeing up cap space to sign two max free agents this offseason.