Nic Claxton feels good about his game as he prepares for free agency this summer, per HoopsHype's Michael Scotto. The Brooklyn Nets center is coming off a two-year, $17.250 million contract, and he thinks taking a smaller deal will pay off this offseason.

"I feel great. I'm in a great situation," Claxton said. "These past couple of years have been really good. I somewhat gambled on myself with a shorter contract, and it's all paying off."

As he embarks on his free agency journey, he said being on a winning team is a priority.

"Winning," Claxton said. "Being a playoff team and winning games."

Since signing the two-year deal ahead of the 2022-23 season, Claxton has put together a pair of solid seasons. He averaged a career-high 12.9 points and 9.2 rebounds per game last year before putting up 11.9 points and 10 rebounds per game this season. Most importantly, Claxton has stayed healthy for back-to-back years after dealing with injuries to start his career.

Claxton has become a solid offensive player around the rim, but his defensive game has elevated the most over the past two years. He averaged a career-high 2.5 blocks per game a season ago, which was the second-best mark in the league. This year, he's rejecting 2.1 shots per game.

Claxton made it clear he wants to be on a winning team after free agency, but what isn't clear is whether he will stick with Brooklyn through a rebuild or leave for a more established team. He has been with the Nets his entire five-year career, but that could come to an end in free agency.

The Nets have the potential to be a playoff team, but they are likely one or two pieces away from being a threat in the East. If Brooklyn could bring in more star power, it could help the team retain Claxton.

The Nets are also in the midst of a coaching search after the team fired Jacque Vaughn in February.