Danny Wolf ready for his shot to fill Nets’ Nic Claxton void
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With the Nets trading away their starting center, Wolf will have a clearer pathway to playing more minutes at the five this upcoming season.
“Obviously, it sucks to see Clax go,” Wolf said Tuesday as the Nets started practice for Summer League. “He was one of the leaders of our locker room, a great voice in our locker room, and he epitomized what it meant to be a Brooklyn Net. We’re sad, we’re gonna miss him.
“In terms of my role and how that’ll change, I’ll develop some coaches, do what they ask of me, and just keep getting better. Whatever role I’m thrown into, I can do it to the best of my abilities.”
The Nets swapped Claxton and a second-round pick for power forward Julius Randle and a first-round selection that became Joshua Jefferson. Though Randle, Jefferson and holdover Noah Clowney will make the competition tougher at the four spot, the departure of Claxton could let Wolf see more minutes at the five, backing up new presumptive starter Day’Ron Sharpe.
In preparation, Wolf — who was shut down late in his rookie campaign with an ankle injury — has spent the early part of the offseason trying to get stronger, to battle veteran centers on the boards.
“Starting with my body getting stronger or getting quicker, getting my ankle right. And just even playing now, I’ve never felt more in control or on balance or stronger,” Wolf said. “And then with that, I’d say my finishing and my 3-point consistency. And I’m shooting the best I’ve shot it, and I feel like I’m finishing the best I’ve finished. So, just gotta keep at it. But I know I’m nowhere near where I want to be.”
The proof will be in the pudding as far as any shooting improvements.
But Wolf weighed in at 260 pounds, up almost 10 pounds from a year ago, and he’s banking on strength and experience helping his subpar finishing at the rim.
“You learn something new every day when you work here in the NBA,” Wolf said. “Obviously you have Clax, who’s [spent] six or seven years in the league, and then Day Day is going into his sixth year, you learn from those guys every day.
“When I was in the G-League, I played center at times. Then there were times in the NBA when I was playing center too when those guys were out, and I felt comfortable in the position. I think the added strength is gonna be the biggest thing I do for five minutes at the five. But I’m gonna do whatever the coaches ask me to and just compete.”
As a rookie, Wolf played everywhere along the frontcourt. Coach Jordi Fernández even used him as a point forward and backup playmaker when the need arose.
“For sure. I played one through five this year,” said Wolf. “There were games where Jordi, I went in the game being point guard. And there would be games where I went in as a five. And I feel comfortable all across the floor. The biggest thing for me is defense.”
“I felt comfortable switching one through four last year. I thought I did it at a somewhat high level, and the next thing for me is just having that strength, that confidence to guard fives. And if that comes along, then who knows?”