Losing Brook Lopez for the season was a devastating blow to the Brooklyn Nets' championship plans. Easily one of the best centers in the league, Lopez was anchoring the defense until a foot injury ended his season before it really began. However, as a result, rookie Mason Plumlee proved he is a star in the making. Currently battling for a roster spot with Team USA, could Plumlee force a trade of Lopez?
According to Nets general manager Billy King, Lopez has fully healed from his foot injury and will be good to go once the season begins. The issue with the center is that he is in the final year of his contract with a player option for 2015. According to a report from BasketballInsiders.com, Lopez is expected to opt out and try and get a larger contract. This does not mean Lopez was out of Brooklyn, he simply wants more money. However, does the rise of Plumlee hurt the worth of Lopez?
If a deal for Lopez were to come, it would not be until the mid-season deadline. New head coach Lionel Hollins likes to play an offense with two big men on the court much like he did with Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol. It is expected the team will keep Lopez at center while switching Plumlee to power forward, something he says he is more comfortable with in the first place.
"I'm definitely comfortable at power forward," Plumlee said, via New York Daily News. "I'm a very good passer; I can see the floor, and I can put the ball on the floor. I don't know what they're looking to do, if they're trying to stay small but what made that work last year was Paul, so I can't imagine we do that again. I think we would play two bigs and how coach Hollins has played traditionally has been that way. I think so (I can play next to Lopez). He demands so much attention, you kind let him be the focal point scoring wise and then you kind of complement him. So it can be a good two-man tandem. Him and Kevin (Garnett), him and me, me and Kevin, however you want to do it."
Plumlee is right about one thing, his success could force Garnett to the bench. Hollins told the media during his introductory press conference that he expected Garnett to be back with the team. The veteran has a $12 million player option in the final year of his contract and is expected to pick it up. However, nothing has been heard from Garnett since the season ended. The veteran has laughed at the idea that he would finish out his career by coming off the bench, but Plumlee is younger and getting better in preparation for his sophomore season. Hollins will not hesitate to make the move.
