Brook Lopez Opts out of Contract with Nets

Brook Lopez will opt out of the final year of his contract, according to Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News. Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN New York confirmed the report. 

Lopez has been one of the top priorities for the Nets this offseason; ESPN's Mike Mazzeo first reported the team's interest in keeping the power forward back on May 2.

Given his offensive skill level, there are few who doubt Lopez is worth the cost whenever he's healthy. He is averaging 17.2 points and 7.4 rebounds this season on 51.3 percent shooting, spreading the floor with an above-average mid-range game and a polished post game.

Criticisms about Lopez's rebounding are somewhat founded, and he's not the fleetest of foot defensively, but any and all questions come down to his health. He has battled a number of injuries since entering the NBA, most notably with his right foot, and he underwent a risky surgery in January 2014 in hopes of putting the foot injuries in the past.

The Nets, who sacrificed their future two summers ago to make a title run with Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce, have watched their plan fail horribly. Garnett was traded back to the Minnesota Timberwolves at the trade deadline and Pierce, who left for the Washington Wizards after a lone season.

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