Report: Brook Lopez to be shipped to the Thunder in potential three-team trade
With the Brooklyn Nets in the midst of a seven-game losing streak and clinging on to the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, the front office is looking to make changes.
Although the Nets’ Big Three have been on the trade market for quite some time, it seems like the only likely candidate to be traded at the moment in Brook Lopez. Lopez, 26, is currently averaging 14.6 points and 6.3 rebounds.
According to Yahoo! Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski, the Brooklyn Nets have “accelerated trade discussions for Brook Lopez” and are looking to strike a deal centered about Lance Stephenson and Lopez.
However, it nows looks like a third team could be involved.
Sources: Nets,Hornets,OKC talking 3-way trade. Brook Lopez 2 OKC, Lance Stephenson 2 BKN, Jeremy Lamb/Jarrett Jack 2 Charlotte.Talks ongoing
— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) January 16, 2015
In the proposed trade, the Brooklyn Nets would receive Lance Stephenson, but it is unclear whether the team would receive more players/draft picks in return for Jarrett Jack and Brook Lopez.
This trade would provide the Thunder with a prominent big-man at center, the Nets with a defensive-minded guard, and the Hornets with two players with considerable upside.
Lance Stephenson is a talented player, who has not yet reached his true potential. Maybe returning to his hometown and playing for Lionel Hollins could change that.
The deal that Broussard highlighted would save the Nets a lot of money. However, Sam Amick of the USA Today reports that Kendrick Perkins would likely be dealt to the Nets if a deal.
What readers said at the time
1 reply came in under this piece in 2015, and they are kept here as they were written — the readers’ words, not ours, spelling and all. The thread is closed; the desk does not take new comments.
jerry2521 January 2015
It was just a chess move by Billy King to get other potential suitors for Brook Lopez, out of the wood work. I don’t believe King ever realistically expected to get close to an acceptable offer for Lopez before the weekend.
King likely took advantage of Chris Broussard’s willingness to spread any trade talks as fact.
King has until Feb 19 to see the value of Lopez continue to rise. Just by not getting injured again will raise his trade value.King was never interested in Lance Stephenson, and he certainly isn’t going to take away Jarrett Jack from Hollins (with DWill injured and likely to be traded during the next 13 months).
Since those hyped up trade discussion, both Lopez and Jack have had Superstar-like performances.