Nic Claxton, the Brooklyn Nets' center, has been struggling with the team's tanking efforts. He believes that the mental toll of tanking will be over next season, and he's happy about that. Claxton has been averaging 11.7 points and 6.9 rebounds per game, but he's struggled on the glass. He's also been dealing with a sprained right fifth finger, which has kept him out of the lineup for three straight games. The Nets (20-60) need some lottery luck to improve their chances of getting a high draft pick. They entered Thursday clinging to the third-best lottery odds, but their 123-94 loss to Indiana at Barclays Center only helped their cause. They moved a game clear of the idle Jazz and Kings, tied for fourth. Losses in their final two games — Friday in Milwaukee and Sunday in Toronto — would guarantee top three odds in the lottery and falling no lower than seventh in the June draft. Claxton's struggles on the glass are a key area of focus for him. He believes that getting his teammates to get the easy rebounds is crucial, and he's working on his mentality to go after all the rebounds. The Nets' coach, Jordi Fernández, has been emphasizing the importance of preparation and mindset, and Claxton is taking that to heart. He's trying to stay focused and motivated, even in the midst of a tough season. With the Nets' tanking efforts, Claxton is looking forward to next season, when he hopes they'll get some more actual wins.