Best Potential Trade Packages, Scenarios and Landing Spots for Brook Lopez
Trading Brook Lopez seems just about impossible.
The Brooklyn Nets have been trying to shop their highest-paid stars for a while now—Bleacher Report's Howard Beck reported in late December that the franchise was looking to deal Deron Williams and Lopez—but actually moving them is easier said than done. The two aforementioned players and Joe Johnson all come with gaudy price tags and plenty of concerns.
"Lopez's history of foot problems could scare off potential suitors," Beck wrote. "But assuming he opts out in July—as many executives expect—he would actually pose the smallest burden among the three stars."
Lately, Lopez hasn't even been starting.
That role is now filled by Mason Plumlee, who has broken out rather nicely during his second season in the NBA and first year under Lionel Hollins. Lopez, now with a role in flux, has averaged just 15.2 points and 6.2 rebounds per game in 2014-15, and the former number is the lowest he's posted since his rookie season in 2008-09.
To his credit, he's bounced back since scoring a combined 14 points in his first three games off the pine, a set that included a scoreless performance on Dec. 27 against the Indiana Pacers. After that putrid outing, he's averaged 18.8 points and 7.8 boards while shooting with quite a bit of accuracy. He even moved back into the starting five when Kevin Garnett needed a maintenance day.
Lopez doesn't seem to be in the long-term plans anymore, especially because he could opt out after this season. The Nets should be more desperate to deal him than ever before, as his value is only going down as Plumlee proves to be the superior player. Plus, we're drawing ever closer to the point at which he can opt out of his contract and sign a longer deal.
The Least Likely Scenario
Portland Trail Blazers Get: Brook Lopez, Alan Anderson
Brooklyn Nets Get: Chris Kaman, Thomas Robinson, Dorell Wright, future second-round pick
This is where we have to begin, simply because the Portland Trail Blazers are one of the few teams that can realistically trade for the big man. Not many franchises are far enough below the cap that they can absorb Lopez's contract without giving up an equivalent amount of salaried money in return, and those that are generally aren't in a position that leaves them desiring his services.
The Blazers, however, are the exception.
They can trade three of their benchwarmers—Chris Kaman, Thomas Robinson and Dorell Wright—for two members of the Nets, upgrading their second unit by adding Lopez, who's most certainly the best player involved in the swap. Rip City's bench has been a poor one yet again, not spending much time on the court and struggling to score when it does.
But a healthy Lopez would be a huge boost, particularly because he plays such a different style than his twin brother, who also happens to be on the roster. While Robin Lopez is a defensive specialist who provides efficient offense in small quantities, Brook is the polar opposite—a player who focuses too much on attempting to swat shots and expends most of his energy as a scorer.
Even looking past the appeal of having two twins on the same roster—it's worked out nicely for the Phoenix Suns!—the ability to bring a go-to player off the bench has to be viewed as something quite valuable in Portland.
But would the Nets be willing to make a move like this? They really aren't getting anything of value in return for a player who still looks like a star when given the opportunity to shine, and they aren't entirely cleaning the books because Kaman is under contract for one more year. A second-round pick is a nice sweetener, but it's probably not enough to turn the tables, and the Blazers shouldn't be willing to give up anything more for an oft-injured veteran who may be nothing more than a half-season rental.
An Enduring Possibility
Oklahoma City Thunder Get: Brook Lopez
Brooklyn Nets Get: Kendrick Perkins, Perry Jones, Jeremy Lamb
Before the Oklahoma City Thunder traded for Dion Waiters, sending some flotsam off to the New York Knicks, they were reportedly discussing a trade with the Nets, as ESPNNewYork.com's Ohm Youngmisuk details:
This trade doesn't have to die now that Lance Thomas is no longer part of the equation. It's perfectly reasonable to replace him with Jeremy Lamb—which should tempt Brooklyn a bit more, as it sounds like the Nets were the ones showing the most hesitation here—while the rest of the deal remains identical to its original form.
"Perkins, Perry Jones and Lance Thomas, who was sent to the New York Knicks in the Thunder's deal for Dion Waiters on Monday, could have been rotation players for Brooklyn, but this deal would have been essentially a salary dump," writes CBS Sports' James Herbert. That thought remains true even if Lamb's presence makes the package of mediocrity a bit more tempting for the Nets.
Kendrick Perkins' deal is still expiring, and neither Perry Jones nor Lamb is paid enough to be a deal-breaker for a franchise that already spends an exorbitant amount of money.
The motivation, however, is much more obvious for the Thunder. As Brett Polakoff explains for NBC Sports, Lopez has to be considered quite appealing:
"There’s a huge difference, obviously, between acquiring a starting big man that is capable of playing like an All-Star on the offensive end of the floor, and adding someone like Waiters — a two-guard who likes to shoot, when the Thunder are already fairly loaded at the guard position.
Those are two entirely different directions to go in ways to improve the team, and we’ll have to wait and see whether or not Waiters adds what the Thunder have been missing.
"
The thing is, the Thunder can still have both.
Now We're Cooking
Phoenix Suns Get: Brook Lopez, future second-round pick
Brooklyn Nets Get: Isaiah Thomas, Alex Len
The Phoenix Suns still need to make a change.
"I'm not OK with losing, so I don't think anybody is OK with what's going on right now," Isaiah Thomas told reporters in the middle of December, per ArizonaSports.com's Craig Grialou. "We've got to figure it out."
Since then, the three-headed monster at point guard has continued to be a bit awkward. Though the team has gone 9-2 over its past 11 games, taking advantage of a pretty easy schedule, it's by no means a lock for the playoffs and could still use a bit of tweaking. Since the three 1-guards have trouble playing together and possess different kinds of question marks, it would be in the Suns' best interest to deal one for a player who is capable of thriving in the post.
Someone like Lopez, in other words.
Not only is the desert a solid fit for the big man—though Jeff Hornacek would have to slow things down in order to preserve Lopez's injury-prone feet—but this is the best return for the Nets as well. Thomas may be on a long-term deal, but he's undoubtedly a keeper, especially given his current yearly salary. He's a bargain anywhere, not just in Phoenix.
Despite the point guard-heavy nature of the Brooklyn roster, that's still true. Williams remains on the block, and the organization would be even more willing to trade him with a replacement like Thomas waiting in the wings. But even if the Nets can't deal Williams before this deadline, the younger guard can eventually take over as the face of the franchise.
Alex Len still has potential as well, although he's struggled to make much of an impact in his first professional landing spot. His inclusion is enough for the Nets to include a second-round pick as part of the package, but his future is too uncertain for anything more than that.
Again, dealing Lopez is tough. Between his contract (both the enormity of it and the uncertain nature of his future) and his injury history, not too many teams will be willing to pay what seems like a reasonable price.
But if the Nets dig deep enough, they'll find a few deals can be had, and none is more advantageous for both sides than this one.
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