Recent NBA trade rumors have the Brooklyn Nets as they have the worst record in the NBA while not having the chance to reap from their misery.
Most NBA fans are aware of how the Boston Celtics have been waving the Brooklyn Nets' pick as the prime trade asset. Even without the intention, tough luck has forced the Nets to give the Celtics the ultimate favor by being on-course to giving them the best chance to grab the no.1 pick.
Thus, the Nets have to improve the "harder way" (since the Draft is already the hard way) which means they have to make a trade in order to break into the loaded 2017 NBA Draft. Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders confirmed the Nets' intentions.
"The Brooklyn Nets would move big man Brook Lopez. League sources have said the Nets have been open to that discussion all year, but that their asking price is steep and has been unchanged. The Nets are said to be seeking a lottery level pick this year, and a first-round pick next year."
Lopez has been injury prone for most of his career, but he has stayed on the court for most of the season. It's tough to part with him now, but they need to cash in on his increased trade value.
However, the Nets will not make a panic trade as Kyler elaborated.
"Nets sources have said from the start of the season that if they ended the season with Lopez on the roster, it would not be a bad thing because they would simply restart the talks around the draft.
Nets leadership has been happy with Lopez's drive and desire all year and believe he's playing the best basketball of his career and that his value only goes up the more he can put on tape and the longer he can play without major injury."
Which team could be the best destination for Brook Lopez? It has to be a team with a lottery pick and a clear need for a center. In the latest mock draft of ESPN Insider Chad Ford, the Dallas Mavericks could end up with the ninth pick (if the season ended now).
While the draft is loaded, it is guard-heavy and there aren't any franchise centers in sight. The Mavericks would be better off trading their pick for Brook Lopez. The Mavs are likely to lose Andrew Bogut to free agency and even if they have been effective playing small-ball with Dirk Nowitzki at center, the German legend is on his last years (maybe even THE last year). Lopez could be a good foundation piece when they form their new team.