The Brooklyn Nets are expecting to keep Brook Lopez after the center used his opt out to become a free agent this summer and he could be a target for the LA Lakers, NY Knicks, Milwaukee Bucks, Boston Celtics, Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets after declining his player option for next season.
Lopez is coming off of one of his best performances this year and he is looking to cash in as an unrestricted free agent. Lopez has dealt with injury issues in the past, but this year he proved he can stay healthy and that he is one of the best in the NBA when he is healthy. According to Yahoo Sports, Lopez is opting out of his deal with the Nets and Brooklyn "remains a strong frontrunner" to bringing him back next season.
League sources told Adrian Wojnarowski that Lopez is likely to sign back in Brooklyn, but that he also is expected to take meetings with other teams. Lopez is going to be a free agent at the same time as his brother and he turned down a $16.7 million option for this season. With the cap rising in the future, Lopez is expected to get a big contract coming up and after averaging nearly a double-double this season, he should have his suitors.
The Nets are trying to offload salary and they are expected to make a push to keep Lopez moving forward. This season Lopez averaged 17.2 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.8 blocked shots while playing in just under 30 minutes per game. Over the past few years Lopez has dealt with injuries and that has kept him out for long stretches, but when he is healthy, he is as productive as anyone in the NBA.
Lopez was healthy this season and played in 72 games, the most he has played in since the 2012 season. The previous year he played in 17 games while dealing with injuries and Lopez also pushed ahead with a strong second half this season, averaging 19.7 points, 9.2 boards and nearly two blocks per game after the All-Star break. According to Nets Daily, the team is expecting to sign back Lopez and they are also going after Thaddeus Young to bring him back for next season.
Young also has an opt out and after the team traded away Mason Plumlee in the deal for Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, keeping Lopez is even more important. According to the Journal Times, Lopez is expected to be a target for the Milwaukee Bucks, who also could go after names like Tyson Chandler, DeAndre Jordan and Goran Dragic in free agency. The Bucks are expected to have money to spend this offseason for Jason Kidd and Lopez previously played for Kidd in Brooklyn.