New Jersey Nets: What Brook Lopez's Injury Means for Nets

Brook Lopez has been the Nets most valuable player for the past few seasons. His durability and scoring has put him among the top centers in the game. In his first three seasons in the NBA, he played in all 82 games.

His iron-man streak will not continue as he needed surgery on his foot because he fractured his fifth metatarsal in his right foot. His injury could have a big impact on four things for the Nets; Dwight Howard, Deron Williams, the playoffs and Brooklyn.

The talks between the Nets and Magic about Dwight Howard have slowed down lately as the Magic have temporarily pulled Howard off the trade market. The centerpiece of any deal for Howard would be Lopez. Now the trade has to be delayed because the recovery time for Brook Lopez would have him returning around February.

The Lakers are the other team who could get Howard in a deal and the centerpiece of that deal would be Andrew Bynum. When comparing Lopez and Bynum, one glaring factor was their health. Lopez has always stayed healthy, where Bynum has struggled to stay on the court. Now Lopez, while he still is not as injury prone as Bynum, can no longer be considered as someone who is an "iron horse."

The main goal for the Nets this season is keeping Deron Williams. While acquiring Howard would lock up Williams for the future, it is not the only way that Williams will stay. Lopez is one of the best centers in the game and is still very young.

He is also someone who Deron Williams considers the most athletic big man he has played with.

The Nets issues are not at center, their hole is mainly at small forward where they lack a scoring threat at that position. If the Nets can make the playoffs, Deron Williams will probably stay with the team, however, with Lopez out, their chances of going to the playoffs take a serious hit.

The Nets have not reached the playoffs since the 2006-07 season. Last season, the Nets were in contention for the final spot in the Eastern Conference before they went 1-9 in their final ten games.

The Nets were a strong team in the beginning of the 21st century, but have become one of the worst teams in recent years as they were rebuilding. Lopez was entering his fourth season and poised to have the best year of his career so far and improve his defense and rebounding. Now without their young center, the Nets will struggle to stay in playoff contention to start the season. 

The New Jersey Nets will only be called that for one more season. They will move to Brooklyn after this season and they are going to try and get some new fans and excitement around their team.

Acquiring Dwight Howard or being a playoff team would help them as they make their move. Lopez's injury means their chances of getting Howard are, at most, delayed and their playoff chances are hurt as well.