Blazers and Bobcats Wise to Offer Brook Lopez an Offer Sheet

The Portland Trail Blazers and Charlotte Bobcats are making the right move by going after restricted free-agent center Brook Lopez.

ESPN’s Marc Stein reported the news via Twitter.

"

Source close to process says Portland & Charlotte have indeed told Brook Lopez they're ready to sign him today to four-year max offer sheet

— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) July 11, 2012"

Lopez has been one of the main pieces in ongoing talks between the Nets, Magic and several other teams as Brooklyn tries to land Dwight Howard.

The Nets took Lopez with the 10th overall pick in the 2008 draft. He broke out in his sophomore campaign and averaged 18.8 points and 8.7 rebounds.

The next year, his rebounding stats dropped and he grabbed just 5.9 boards per game, but he proved to be a dominant scorer and put up 20.4 points a night. 

He is a true seven-footer with a soft touch and a complete offensive skill set. Both the Blazers and the Bobcats could use a player like this. 

The Blazers’ need for a big man to pair with LaMarcus Aldridge is no secret. They drafted Meyers Leonard and attempted to sign Indiana Pacers’ center Roy Hibbert to a max deal, but Indiana matched the offer.

Lopez would be a huge upgrade for the Bobcats’ front line, who have Byron Mullens, DeSagana Diop and Bismack Biyombo as their current options at center.

Mullens was used most often and finished the season with averages of 9.3 points and 5.0 rebounds per game.

Both of these teams have money to spend and are in desperate need for a big man. Offering a 24-year-old with All-Star potential a long-term deal is a no-brainer. 

The Nets will have a chance to match any deal either team offers, but both teams are making the right move by getting in the action early, in case Lopez and Brooklyn have a falling out.