Brook Lopez (Photo : Getty Images)
The New Orleans Pelicans emerge as a possible trade partner for the Brooklyn Nets, who could explore trading Brook Lopez to regain some of their lost draft picks.
The Nets could consider trading Brook Lopez this season in hopes of getting back some of their lost draft picks, according to Rohan Nadkarni of Sports Illustrated. Nadkarni insisted that Lopez has no place on the Nets' rebuild, which may prompt Brooklyn to ponder about moving on from their All-Star center.
"Lopez has no place on the rebuilding Nets, who may be able to recoup some of their lost draft picks by trading the former All-Star center," Nadkarni wrote.
Lopez is the only All-Star remaining in the Nets' roster, but he could also be the only valuable trade chip Brooklyn possesses. The 28-year-old center has quashed any injury concerns after playing more than 140 games in the past two seasons, while averaging 20.6 points and 7.8 rebounds per game during last season's campaign.
According to Nadkarni, a team like the Pelicans could emerge as a trade partner for the Nets, potentially creating one of the most formidable frontcourt duos in Lopez and Anthony Davis.
"A pseudo-contender or up-and-coming team would be wise to gamble on Lopez-particularly a team that struggles luring All-Stars in free agency," Nadkarni noted. "It's possible it would be an awful fit, but I wouldn't hate to see Lopez in New Orleans, where Anthony Davis is in desperate need of help."
Lopez's low-post skills would complement Davis' game, allowing the latter to play effectively at the power forward position. Lopez could create some damage inside the paint, while Davis can focus in his outside game and expanding his range.
Defensively, Lopez gives the Pelicans a solid big man to clog the paint. Lopez isn't necessarily a liability on the defensive end, which would boost the Pels' interior defense, with Davis covering up the weak side of the defense.
It is unclear whether the Pelicans would be interested in pairing Davis with Lopez, but New Orleans does have a future assets and tradable players they could package to Brooklyn for the services of Lopez. The Pelicans could send Tyreke Evans, Omer Asik and Dante Cunningham, plus a 2017 first-round to the Nets for Lopez in a deal which works on ESPN's trade machine.
By acquiring a future draft pick, the Nets could kick start their rebuild, while Asik and Cunningham could become the team's building blocks. Evans, on the other hand, gives Brooklyn an expiring contract, providing cap flexibility of next summer.
It is difficult to see the Nets trading away Lopez for future assets, but should Brooklyn explore such move, he is the only valuable trade chip they could offer to other teams. Nevertheless, there is a growing sense that dealing Lopez is also the only way for the Nets to net draft picks in return.
Video courtesy: YouTube/DownToBuck
