Most mentions of Nic Claxton come with a caveat.
But underneath the disclaimer that the rookie needs to mature physically and fill out his 6-foot-11 frame comes excitement over the potential for the Nets’ latest draft pick to become their next uncovered gem.
“How should I say this?” coach Kenny Atkinson said Wednesday. “I’m very, very excited about Nic. I think we all understand he’s got to get stronger and needs experience, but the raw talent, we really have something to work with there. I’m pleasantly, pleasantly surprised.”
The coach isn’t the only one.