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 Nets beat the Hornets 97-89 after a fourth quarter in which Brooklyn found itself on the wrong end of a 24-12 tally by way of Charlotte. Nic Claxton had one of his better games of the season as he put up 16 points,