Could Brook Lopez return to the Brooklyn Nets?
It’s only been seven months since the Brooklyn Nets dealt Brook Lopez to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for D’Angelo Russell. With Lopez and the Lakers drifting apart, could the big man ditch Hollywood and return to Brooklyn?
Brook Lopez will make his first return to Brooklyn Friday night when the Los Angeles Lakers play the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center.
To say it’s been a rough transition for Lopez would be an understatement.
The Nets’ all-time leading scorer is averaging a career low in both points (11.6) and field goal percentage (.433).
To make matters worse, his season hit a low point Wednesday during the Orlando Magic’s 127-105 rout of Los Angeles.
Lopez, who has seen limited time in the rotation of late, played just nine minutes and sat nearly the entire second half.
During the fourth quarter, he sat on the bench with a towel draped over his head.
“On the court, I can be very visible, with my emotions,” Lopez said after the game, according to ESPN.com. “So, yeah, just trying to control myself, breathe a little bit, and just keep cool because it was an unfortunate game for us.”
Brook Lopez waved off reporters postgame. He played 9 minutes tonight, including 1:33 in the 2nd half. During the 4th he looked upset, covered his head with a towel, rubbed his eyes with it, and got up and walked off the court at the next time out, returning shortly thereafter.
— Tania Ganguli (@taniaganguli) February 1, 2018
As the trade deadline approaches, it’s unlikely Lopez will be moved.
More from Empire Writes Back
- Caesars New York Promo Code: Win $250 Bonus GUARANTEED on ANY Bet!
- Last Chance Caesars Promo: Claim $1,250 Bonus for ANY MLB Bet!
- Caesars New York Promo Code Gives TWO Chances to Win Betting on Your Yankees!
- PointsBet New York Promo: FIVE $100 Bonus Bets to Back the Yankees or Mets!
- Caesars NY Promo: $1,250 Bonus to Celebrate the Return of Judge!
Sure, the Stanford product is in the final year of his contract and could be a rental for a contending team.
The problem, though, is his $22.6 million salary.
It’s likely that Lopez will be a buy-out candidate, should the two sides be able to come to an agreement.
If that’s the case, would Lopez be open to a return to the Nets?
Brooklyn would surely welcome back the center with open arms.
The Nets have lacked production from the five-spot for most of the season, aside from the recent emergence of rookie Jarrett Allen.
Bringing Lopez’s veteran presence back in the locker room would surely benefit both coach Kenny Atkinson and his younger players.
Next: Road trip proves to be too much for the Nets
Of course, it’d be understandable should he want to sign with a contender.
Still, it’s hard to rule out a Lopez-Nets reunion.
After all, his No. 11 might one day hang from the rafters.