Nets Rumors: Could Brook Lopez Be Traded This Season?

Brooklyn Nets Rumors: Could Brook Lopez be traded away during the season?

Brooklyn Nets rumors will pop up throughout the season given their current state. They do not own their own first round draft pick until 2019, so adding assets should be a goal of the front office. The roster has few building blocks, so the lack of first round picks is worrisome.

But, the Nets do have a couple of players other teams could have some interest in. One of those players is center Brook Lopez. Lopez signed a three-year, $63 million extension July 9th, 2015. He will earn $43.8 million this season and next, but he could be a player other teams target.

Brian Lewis of The New York Post touched on the idea of trading Lopez. He said, “With the Nets hunting for assets and able to bring back a windfall for Lopez, they could move him at the trade deadline to a desperate contender that feels it is just a star big man away.”

The Boston Celtics, Charlotte Hornets, Milwaukee Bucks, and Portland Trail Blazers are listed as possible destinations.

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The Celtics have been looking for a bonafide scorer and Lopez could provide that. The two teams have history trading as well, as the Celtics own the Nets’ draft picks. The Hornets could use someone to replace the inside scoring that they lost when Al Jefferson left as a free agent.

The Bucks have a big man of their own, Greg Monroe, they are trying to move, so that could make for a difficult swap. The Trail Blazers make for an intriguing option. They could use help outside their dynamic backcourt of Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum and Lopez would give them an option in the halfcourt when play slows during the postseason. The Blazers are also loaded with young talent stuck in a logjam, some of which the Nets would gladly take in a trade.

ESPN Insider Kevin Pelton has his own opinion on trading Lopez as well. He writes, “I’m torn on the idea of trading Lopez. While I think it would be wise to sell high in case of a possible recurrence of foot trouble, this isn’t a great time to get value for a center. I would look to trade Bojan Bogdanovic in the last year of his contract if there’s any interest.”

There are obviously pros and cons to trading Lopez or holding onto him. But, the Nets now have a clear plan in place with Sean Marks as general manager and Kenny Atkinson as head coach. They have an eye towards the future and know for it to be a successful one they may have to offload some talent currently on the roster.

Lopez is the best asset the Nets currently have. He is a proven difference-maker on the offensive side of the ball. If he is paired with a defensive minded power forward, the two could be a great pairing.

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There is no shortage of teams that could use Lopez. But will the Nets receive a package that they like from one of those teams? It is something they will have to gauge in the future as Lopez trade rumors are sure to persist up until the NBA Trade Deadline.

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