The annual Brook Lopez trade rumors have started, and the Brooklyn Nets have a reportedly high asking price for their All-Star center.
It’s about that time again. Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez is part of a trade rumor. It doesn’t seem like anything serious yet though as no team is mentioned, just Brooklyn’s lofty asking price for the veteran big man.
Marc Stein of ESPN.com reports that the Nets are seeking two first-round picks for the All-Star center.
Lopez told Brian Lewis of The New York Post that he was on the same page as general manager Sean Marks when it came to rebuilding this downtrodden franchise. Sean Marks and Kenny Atkinson said Lopez is part of the future in Brooklyn.
Of course, we heard the same thing about Thaddeus Young.
Lopez is having a strange season. After adding the three-point shot (he’s attempting 5.2 per game) his field goal percentage is at a career-low 46.6 percent. He’s never finished a season below 49 percent.
Given the fact that he’s shooting the long ball barely at just a 36 percent clip 5.2 attempts per game is too many. For context, Kristaps Porzingis currently attempts 5.2 threes per game. Except he makes them at a 40 percent clip.
Even with his field goal percentage dipping and his rebound number (5.3 per game) at an embarrassing level, Lopez should fetch a good price for Brooklyn.
They were able to get a first-rounder for Young from Indiana, so they should be able to flip Lopez into a couple of them.
Jeremy Lin is unquestionably the face of the franchise now. If the Nets can get two firsts for Brook Lopez they need to go for it.
The Nets host the Philadelphia 76ers Sunday, Jan. 8, at 12:00 p.m. ET on the YES Network.
