Brook Lopez Injury: What the Surgery Means for New Jersey Nets and Their Season

Any hope for success for the New Jersey Nets in Deron Williams' first full season in town took a big hit when news came down that center Brook Lopez will need surgery to repair a stress fracture in his right foot.

At best, Lopez is looking at a return in mid-February.

For the Nets, their season very well could be doomed from the start. You can take 20 points per game out of the New Jersey lineup, which is what Lopez averaged last season. That can't be replaced.

Johan Petro will more than likely see an increase in minutes, but newly-signed Kris Humphries will as well, and Shelden Williams can slide to the five spot instead of taking minutes away from Humphries. Either way, even if the Nets figure it out in the short-term, they won't be able to replace the production they would have got from Lopez.

But it may also have an impact in two other areas. First of all, losing isn't a good way to convince point guard Deron Williams to sign an extension, which is the main goal for the Nets. Secondly, Lopez was the main trade chip in the Nets' attempt to acquire Dwight Howard.

Lopez should be back about a month before the trade deadline, but will he be fully recovered and healthy enough to convince Orlando to make a deal? Either way, Lopez's injury likely prevents any deal from being made until that time, which could also allow another team to come in and make a play for Howard.

The one thing that couldn't happen to the Nets just happened, and the injured foot of Lopez could lead to a very long season in New Jersey.