Brook Lopez Trade Rumors: Latest News, Speculation on Nets C

Despite not yet settling on a new general manager, the Brooklyn Nets have reportedly made center Brook Lopez available prior to Thursday's NBA trade deadline.

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Lopez May Be On Move After All

Monday, Feb. 15

Frank Isola of the New York Daily News reported the Nets are willing to move Lopez and forward Thaddeus Young, their two most coveted veterans.  

Lopez, 27, is averaging 20.2 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game this season. He's been one of a select few bright spots amid a lost season in Brooklyn, as the Nets entered the All-Star break at 14-40.

“Brook knows what we want from him, and I’m not one to have a lot of conversations," interim coach Tony Brown said, per Brian Lewis of the New York Post. “I think he’s figured it out, and he especially knows he’s going to get touches. And when he finds time to get it at the elbow, he’s able to attack off the dribble, which is kind of rare for a guy his size."

Rumors of a potential trade come less than a year after Lopez signed a three-year, $60 million contract to remain in Brooklyn.

That came as part of a desperate push from Nets management to stay relevant in the Eastern Conference playoff picture. Lopez and Young were incumbents on a wildly expensive 38-win team that escaped lottery peril on a tiebreaker. The Nets entered 2015-16 with even more incentive to push for a playoff spot, with the Celtics holding their first-round pick, but the team is languishing at the bottom of the standings.

Moving Lopez and Young might be the only way Brooklyn can begin a proper rebuild with first-round picks. With more than a season of healthy basketball under his belt, Lopez would likely be worthy of a mid-lottery pick if Brooklyn can find the right taker. His career-threatening foot problems appear to be a thing of the past, and no one has ever questioned his skill when he's been on the floor.

The Nets are 8.1 points per 100 possessions better with Lopez on the floor, per Basketball-Reference.com. He's the rare center who can work in the paint, stretch out to mid-range and protect the rim at an above-average rate.

He's also nearing his 28th birthday and unlikely to be in his prime by the time Brooklyn picks itself up from its nadir and becomes a competitive franchise again. Even with the cap ballooning this summer, the Nets would be wise to swallow their pride and make a move.

Of course, that would be a whole lot easier if opposing teams had a general manager to negotiate with. 

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