How Brook Lopez's Contract Extension Affects Nets' Ability to Land Dwight Howard

The Brooklyn Nets and restricted free agent Brook Lopez are reportedly getting close to a maximum contract extension.

Yahoo! Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski found that the Nets organization has practically given up hope on acquiring Dwight Howard and is now just looking to lock up its own big man to a long-term deal:

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Nets president Billy King and Lopez’s agent, Arn Tellem, are finalizing the length of the deal – four years for $58 million, or five years for $78 million – and ironing out protections on the back end to account for a right foot that Lopez broke twice in the past year, sources said.

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If Lopez were to sign this extension, it would mean that Brooklyn is effectively out of the summer DH12 sweepstakes. The former Stanford standout cannot be traded until December once he puts his signature on the contract.

Considering the complexity of any deal the Nets would have to construct in order to pry the superstar center from the Orlando Magic, it makes sense that they are looking to just lock up a sure thing in Lopez.

The Brooklyn brass would apparently have to convince up to four free agents to become part of a sign-and-trade with Orlando, and it realizes that goal is almost impossible now that free agency has begun in earnest and the 10-day offseason moratorium is now over.

However, this does not mean that Dwight will never end up Brooklyn; it just might take longer than expected.

The Nets and Magic would have to wait until December to work something out, but a lot can change in the next five months.

Player stock will certainly rise and fall, and a deal might actually be easier to consummate in the winter time with less suitors and the trade deadline looming.

Orlando knows it must flip Howard before next summer, as it faces the overwhelming likelihood that the three-time Defensive Player of the Year signs with another squad for absolutely nothing in return.

While it’s becoming more and more probable that Lopez inks a max extension with the Nets, if DH12 isn’t dealt to another team this summer, look for trade talks to heat back up in December.