NBA Rumors: Nets Making Wise Decision by Refusing Extension to Brook Lopez

The New Jersey Nets aren’t going to take any chances with the future of their franchise.

That’s why Mike Mazzeo of ESPNNY.com is reporting that Billy King said, before Wednesday night’s game against the Golden State Warriors, that Brook Lopez would most likely not be given a contract extension this season.

Players from the 2008 draft class are eligible for extensions up until January 25 this year. Something that the Minnesota Timberwolves are looking into for Kevin Love, and the Chicago Bulls have done with reigning-MVP Derrick Rose.

Despite being one of the top players from the class, the Nets are not going to roll the dice with Lopez, especially considering the stress fracture he suffered in the preseason in his right foot.

He has not suited up for a single regular-season game yet.

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"I'm sure I'll have a conversation with his agent [Arn Tellem]," King said. "But I don't know if we'll do anything with him at this point. I think you just have to wait. They may throw a number at you that makes sense." 

"The injury has had an impact on it.”

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Of course the injury had an impact on their decision. Any smart front office would wait to see how he heals from it before paying him a maximum amount or near-max amount of money.

At 7’0” 265-pounds, the Nets need to make sure that Lopez isn’t another big man that flashes skill when he is young, but turns out to have an injury-riddled and disappointing career—like so many others.

King also needs to make sure that they have flexibility going into the offseason with Lopez’s contract, so that the Nets can involve him in sign-and-trades or other transactions to keep Deron Williams and bring in a second superstar.

The most likely scenarios are that the Nets wait until the offseason to offer their 23-year-old center a one-year, $4.2 million-qualifying tender or give him a full extension as part of a sign-and-trade deal.

The bottom line is, it would not make sense for New Jersey (soon to be Brooklyn) to give an injured Brook Lopez a major deal when Deron Williams’ and the rest of the rosters’ future is so uncertain at this time.