Rumor from WFAN: Brook Lopez Will Opt Out

[footey]

This seems the consensus among Net insiders, including Evan on the Evan and Joe morning show on WFAN here in NYC.

If true, why not attempt to sign him as a FA?  Win - win: We get a really good center who is just hitting his prime, and the Nets become worse, thereby increasing the value of their future No. 1 picks we own.

And we give up no picks for him.  We can then package our picks to focus on our remaining need: an alpha SF who can create and score, like Hezonga. 

Obviously, any contract would be subject to a thorough exam of his foot.

[Lucky17]

So, this is speculation/gut feeling from everyone not named Brook Lopez?

[hwangjini_1]

So, this is speculation/gut feeling from everyone not named Brook Lopez?

agreed. the thread title, as written, states lopez will opt out, which made me think it was breaking news of some sort.

[LooseCannon]

Seems pretty reasonable for him to opt out and try to get a long-term deal while healthy.  Milwaukee is a team with cap space that is reportedly interested.

There are at least four centers I would prefer over Brook Lopez, so I wouldn't make him a main target.  Heck, I'd prefer to take whatever money you are willing to throw at him and give it to Robin Lopez instead.

[PhoSita]

Expect the Celtics to go hard after free agent big men in this order

Marc Gasol - No chance
LMA - less than 1% chance
Love - Very low chance
Monroe - Possible
Lopez - Could happen
Robin Lopez / Kosta Koufos / Bismack Biyombo - Consolation prize

[jaketwice]

Expect the Celtics to go hard after free agent big men in this order

Marc Gasol - No chance
LMA - less than 1% chance
Love - Very low chance
Monroe - Possible
Lopez - Could happen
Robin Lopez / Kosta Koufos / Bismack Biyombo - Consolation prize

My preference for those big men is as follows:

Marc Gasol - would love
LMA - would love
Love - no pun intended
Monroe - No thanks
Lopez - No thanks
Robin Lopez / Kosta Koufos / Bismack Biyombo - would like Koufos, otherwise, no thanks.

[Ilikesports17]

I believe he will opt out and sign with Milwakee. However, untill he actually does it or says hes going to do so. I am not going to convince myself any further that Lopez is gone.

[D.o.s.]

He must have some serious health concerns if he's opting out instead of signing a megadeal next season.

[mahonedog88]

I want nothing to do with Brook Lopez.  He's very talented, but not enough of a game changer to still sign when he has the injury history that he does.

He looks like he's going to be the classic case of a guy who will cash in on one big deal, and then be injured for at least 60% of it.  He's also not quite the defender they need for a guy in the middle.  He's not Enes Kanter bad on defense, but he's not great either.

[footey]

I fixed the title, so as to make clear this is a rumor, reported by a WFAN broadcaster, who is close to the team.

He stated it rather non-chalantly, as if it was common knowledge among Net insiders. Take it for what that is worth.

I think most of you are underestimating how good Lopez is when healthy. He is huge, long, very good fundamentals, and is finally healthy.  If he becomes a FA, he would cost us no picks. 

Most importantly, his loss would make the Nets worse.  Which enhances the value of our picks, actual or trade value.

I read rumor about him signing to the Bucks, but given fact that Kidd tried to have him traded to Bucks for Larry Sanders when Kidd was coach, I doubt Lopez goes there.

[Endless Paradise]

He must have some serious health concerns if he's opting out instead of signing a megadeal next season.

Don't rule out wanting to escape from the purgatory that is the Nets. He's lived through 12-70.

[Clench123]

We happen to have one of the best GM in the league.  In Danny I trust.  I'm sure he'll pull something off this offseason.  As far as Lopez, his health is a major concern for me.  Can we get him for cheap?

[D.o.s.]

He must have some serious health concerns if he's opting out instead of signing a megadeal next season.

Don't rule out wanting to escape from the purgatory that is the Nets. He's lived through 12-70.

Sure, but follow this with me.
Lopez is set to earn $16.7m this season, after which he is a free agent.

Instead, he is forgoing that guaranteed $16.7 to be a free agent this year, whereupon he will sign a deal that will inevitably be smaller  than the one he would get as a free agent next season (assuming good health).

So either Brooklyn sucks enough that he's fine leaving $16.7 on the table to play somewhere else (very possible), or he's getting some kind of feedback that the probability of a contract-effecting injury is high enough to be worth taking the longer deal now.

[get_banners]

Thaddeus Young is opting out, and I suspect he isn't coming back to the Nets. That's official. I assume Lopez is as well, and prob going to the Bucks, but that isn't official. So...there's a decent chance the Nets lose 2 of their best players, and have no cap space to sign anyone of relevant impact. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: I think the chances of the Nets picks over the next 2 years being top 5-7 are extremely high.

[hpantazo]

Thaddeus Young is opting out, and I suspect he isn't coming back to the Nets. That's official. I assume Lopez is as well, and prob going to the Bucks, but that isn't official. So...there's a decent chance the Nets lose 2 of their best players, and have no cap space to sign anyone of relevant impact. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: I think the chances of the Nets picks over the next 2 years being top 5-7 are extremely high.

If this is true, it may have upped the value of he Nets pick next year to allow us to package it in a deal for #4 in home for Thursday.