Nets Rumors: Asking Price Drops For Brook Lopez
Brooklyn Nets rumors: The asking price for Brook Lopez has dropped according to ESPN’s Marc Stein.
Brooklyn Nets rumors have begun heating up with just two days until the NBA Trade Deadline. The Nets have a number of players that could interest teams at the deadline, headlined by center Brook Lopez.
Lopez is the best player on the Nets and their best trade asset. There are pros and cons to trading him, but it is something the Nets have to consider. They lose even with him, so trading him won’t change that. But, if they trade him who are fans going to go to Barclays Center to watch?
It is a dilemma the team will have make a decision on in the coming days. Lopez would bring back the best haul for the Nets, but is it worth the price? For that reason, the Nets asking price for Lopez was sky high.
About a week ago the Nets were looking for two first round picks in exchange for Lopez. It would help replenish their draft pick stash, which was cleaned out by Billy King. But, the Nets have now lowered their asking price for Lopez.
According to ESPN’s Marc Stein, the Nets are only looking for one first round pick and a second rounder in exchange for Lopez.
The price on Brook Lopez has dropped, league sources say. Instead of two first-rounders, word is Brooklyn would accept a first and a second.
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) February 21, 2017
The Nets were probably forced to change their demands because of the market. With multiple trades being done involving centers already, there probably isn’t much of a market remaining for Lopez.
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Jahlil Okafor was close to being traded, and the Denver Nuggets and Portland Trail Blazers swapped Jusuf Nurkic and Mason Plumlee. The Sacramento Kings shipped DeMarcus Cousins to the New Orleans Pelicans as well, so the market is saturated with centers right now.
That Cousins trade could also be a reason for the Nets lowering their price. The Kings only received one first round pick in 2017. You can count 2016 first round pick Buddy Hield as essentially a second first rounder, but that is a pretty underwhelming package. After seeing that, the Nets had to drop their price otherwise they would receive no interest in him.
Lopez is having a strong season for the Nets. He is averaging a career-high 20.8 points in large part to his expanded range. Lopez has added a three-point shot to is already impressive offensive arsenal and provides solid rim protection; look no further than his performance against the Milwaukee Bucks right before the All-Star break.
Lopez is under contract through 2018, so the Nets could get a little more for him since he isn’t a rental. But, the longer they wait the less value Lopez has on the trade market.
Lopez will be 30 years old when his contract expires. It is fair to question if he would be in the Nets’ long-term plans at that point. They will probably be years away from contending still, so handing out a big contract to a 30-year old center wouldn’t be conducive to their rebuild.
Next: Brooklyn Nets: 5 Trade Destinations For Brook Lopez
Expect the Nets to shop Lopez hard and try landing a package of picks and younger players. If they can receive a package similar to what the Kings received for Cousins the Nets would be happy. They need any young players they can get their hands on to try and build a foundation for their roster. Keep an eye on the Indiana Pacers, who have reportedly been trying to pry Lopez out of Brooklyn.