NBA Rumors: New Jersey Nets Playing Dangerous Game with Brook Lopez

The New Jersey Nets are again playing a dangerous game that may see them finally mix it up with the big boys, flush with talent, or they could very well end up with nothing. 

Brook Lopez is finally working out, a fact that neither means he is close be being ready to play nor that he will ever play with the Nets when healthy. 

Stefan Bondy of the NY Daily News reports the latest on the Nets' big man, who was sidelined before the season even began. Lopez fractured his fifth metatarsal in the team's final preseason game. 

Things may have gone far more different than the 4-11 start New Jersey is off to. The team craves an imposing big man down low and Lopez has grown into a potential star in the league. 

Bondy states Lopez is working out, "shooting on the court, moving from spot-to-spot, looking much closer to returning than he did while wearing a protective boot less than two weeks ago."

He also reports the team is not about to commit to Lopez and that could lead to seeing the big man bolt in the offseason. Lopez states how tenuous his position as the Nets' center of the future truly is.

"I don’t know (if I’m going to be with the team in Brooklyn). I’d like to be, but there’s a lot of uncertainty, so I don’t know."

General manager Billy King has already stated that the team doesn't plan to offer Lopez an extension before the January 29th deadline. That puts the roster of this team very much in flux. 

Lopez would then be an unrestricted free agent this summer, and a team without a star center would be gambling that they could grab one in free agency. The hopes that they could trade for Dwight Howard is already far from likely considering the biggest trade chip, Lopez, is far from game ready. 

More than that, there are rumors that star point guard Deron Williams may pack his bags this summer as well. 

ESPN's Chris Broussard reports Williams is inclined to re-sign with the Nets, but his decision hinges on the team pulling off a Dwight Howard level coup, either by trade or free agency. 

If not, Williams has a wish list of the Mavericks, the Knicks and the Lakers to play with next season. Considering the emotional state of Lopez, who is getting little love from the Nets, he may very well bolt despite the Nets ability to match that offer. 

Howard's status may loom longer as he weighs his options, meaning the team may see Lopez leave in the hope that they can lock up Howard at some point this summer. 

If that fails, Armageddon could ensue with Lopez leaving, Howard signing elsewhere and Williams taking his talents away from the Nets as well. 

A roster that is in need of vital talent takes a huge hit and goes into next season with a rabble of no-namers. 

It's a gamble, but one that is needed as the Nets swing for the fences to pair Williams and Howard heading into Brooklyn. 

The job of an NBA general manager is never easy and filled with intense pressure. The hardest one in the NBA right now has to be that of Billy King in keeping the Nets from slipping into an ugly mess. 

Follow @gabezal