It seems that trade rumors will not leave Nets' Brook Lopez away. After rumors surfaced linking him to a possible trade deal to the Chicago Bulls and Denver Nuggets, reports are now saying that his transfer to the Charlotte Hornets is a done deal.
The Charlotte Hornets got a great season last year. Having a 48-34 record, they are tied with three other teams - the Miami Heat, Atlanta Hawks and Boston Celtics. But due to tiebreak and quotient system, they relegated to 6th place and face the Heat in the playoffs where they were booted out by Miami in the first round.
From the looks of it, they have overachieved themselves last season. So why are they surfacing at the trade market now? Simple, because they lost key players during the offseason. Jeremy Lin went to Brooklyn Nets, Courtney Lee to New York Knicks and Al Jefferson to Indiana Pacers.
Now, the Hornets are making a deal with the Nets to acquire Lopez according to the Ecumenical News. Trade scenario suggests that the Nets will send Lopez to the Hornets in exchange for Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Spencer Hawes, and a protected 2017 first-round pick. The arrival of Lopez could boost their frontcourt and immediately fill the spot Jefferson left in the middle.
The report also says that the Hornets might be able to make a "Big Three" of their own with Lopez, guard Kemba Walker and forward Nicolas Batum. On the hand, the Nets might consider this deal as they get three players for one. Hawes will be Lopez's replacement on the rotation aside from getting a scorer in Kidd-Gilchrist and a future first-round pick is something to think about.
Earlier reports by YIBADA English also discussed the possible Lopez-Hornets trade deal earlier this month. The report also says that Lopez is dispensable to the Nets for not leading the team to go a long away despite being surrounded by superstar players like Joe Johnson, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Deron Williams.
If ever Lopez will be traded, it will give the Hornets another scoring option inside and might fit to coach Steve Clifford's game plan as per stated in the report.
Will the Brooklyn Nets release Brook Lopez to the Charlotte Hornets?
