Brook Lopez is likely to opt out of his contract and hit free agency for the Brooklyn Nets this summer and if that happens, many NBA executives expect him to sign a lucrative free agent deal and teams like the LA Lakers, Miami Heat, Houston Rockets, Chicago Bulls, NY Knicks and Boston Celtics could be potential landing spots for the big man.
Lopez has been having a strong run over the last month and it couldn't come at a better time for him, as he has the chance to his free agency this summer. According to Grantland writer Zach Lowe, "most execs" around the NBA expect Lopez to opt out of his contract to be a restricted free agent this summer. The class this year has a number of top players, including Marc Gasol, Greg Monroe, LaMarcus Aldridge, Rajon Rondo and Goran Dragic and now Lopez may join that group as well.
Pro Basketball Talk writes that while many free agents are waiting until 2016 to sign a deal since the salary cap will go up, Lopez is likely thinking about striking while the iron is hot. While Lopez could have a strong 2015-16 season and then get paid next summer, he is playing so well now it almost makes no sense to wait and risk injury. Lopez has had injury issues in the past and if he finishes this season healthy, he likely will jump into free agency.
According to ESPN.com, Lopez has been one of the most consistent players in the NBA since the All-Star break, as he is averaging over 25 points and is shooting over 60 percent from the floor in his last 10 games. Lopez is averaging eight rebounds per game over that stretch and this season he is averaging 17 points and seven rebounds in 67 games played. Last season Lopez was limited to just 17 games, but this season he has been able to avoid any serious injury issues.
Lopez was named Eastern conference player of the week two weeks in a row (the first player to do that this season) and he has helped push his team into the playoffs. The Lakers, Knicks and Celtics all will have big money to spend this offseason and while the Nets may want to keep Lopez, he could price out of BK. The Lakers and Knicks are teams to watch, as they could go after Lopez if players like Marc Gasol, Greg Monroe and LaMarcus Aldridge sign elsewhere.
The Nets are currently battling for a playoff spot and they are in the seventh position in the standings in the east. The team is just ahead of the Celtics along with the Miami Heat, Pacers and Hornets and they have the chance to clinch with a solid finish. Lopez has been one of the main reasons why the team is even in the postseason, as they have struggled overall but have pulled it together over the last month. Making the playoffs would be a nice consolation even if the team finishes under .500 this season.
