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Nets Rumors: Indiana Pacers Trying To Acquire Brook Lopez

By Kenneth Teape

Feb 7, 2017; Charlotte, NC, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) looks to pass the ball as Charlotte Hornets forward center Frank Kaminsky (44) defends during the second half of the game at the Spectrum Center. The Hornets won 111-107. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 7, 2017; Charlotte, NC, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) looks to pass the ball as Charlotte Hornets forward center Frank Kaminsky (44) defends during the second half of the game at the Spectrum Center. The Hornets won 111-107. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports /
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Brooklyn Nets Rumors: The Indiana Pacers are reportedly after Brook Lopez to help bolster their front court.

Brooklyn Nets rumors continue to pop up on the NBA rumor mill. Despite being the worst team in the NBA, Brooklyn has some players that may interest playoff hopeful teams from contenders to fringe teams alike.

On Monday it was reported that Bojan Bogdanovic was receiving interest from the Washington Wizards. The Wizards were looking into Bogdanovic hoping to upgrade their bench. The other player that has been talked about a lot is center Brook Lopez.

Lopez is easily the Nets best player and best trade asset. He would bring back the biggest haul in a trade package and could really help push the Nets rebuild forward. There would be a number of teams that would be interested in acquiring Lopez should the Nets make him available. The latest to join the foray is the Indiana Pacers.

Peter Vescey said earlier in the week that the Indiana Pacers were trying to get Lopez from the Nets. He even offered a trade scenario on his Twitter account, asking if a package of Al Jefferson, Rodney Stuckey, and the Pacers 2017 first round pick would be enough to get Lopez out of Brooklyn.

As Vecsey notes, the Nets could look to see the packages they would get from other teams. A package built around two veterans that wouldn’t be in the Nets plan and a non-lottery pick in 2017 probably won’t entice the Nets much.

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If that is the best that the Nets can do, they should hold off on trading Lopez for now. But, it may be difficult for the Nets to do much after seeing what the Sacramento Kings accepted in return for their franchise player, DeMarcus Cousins. Even using that as a baseline, the Pacers offer comes up short for the Nets; at least the Kings received the New Orleans Pelicans 2016 first round draft pick in Buddy Hield.

As their best trade asset, the Nets should hold out for more in exchange for Lopez. If they traded their best asset for only one pick and no young players it would not help their rebuild much. If the Nets are not going to receive much in the way of future assets like draft picks, they need to receive younger players to add to their current core.

Next: Brooklyn Nets: 5 Trade Destinations For Brook Lopez

Caris LeVert and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson have their strengths, but they do not look like budding superstars. They could be solid complementary players, but the Nets need to acquire as many lottery ticket as possible. Lopez gives them their best chance to acquire multiple assets and they need to capitalize on that.

Lopez has been excellent for the Nets this season averaging a career-high 20.8 points to go along with 5.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.8 blocks per game. Lopez spike in scoring can be attributed to his new found ability to shoot three pointers. While the rebounding numbers are lower than you’d hope, he can make up for it with what he brings offensively.

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