The Brooklyn Nets reportedly are willing to trade any of its star players, and Brook Lopez appears to be the one most likely to go. Basketball Insiders' Steve Kyler weighed in on the Nets' current situation and gave it a 75 to 80 percent chance Lopez would be on a new team before the February trade deadline.
It came as a surprise last week when ESPN's Marc Stein and Ohm Youngmisuk reported Brooklyn's core - Lopez, Deron Williams and Joe Johnson - were available for the right price. According to Kyler, Lopez is the most likely - if any - Nets player to be dealt before the Feb. 19 trade deadline.
"I think the guy that's moved (is) Brook Lopez. It doesn't seem to be working for him and (coach) Lionel Hollins and he can be an unrestricted free agent," Kyler wrote Monday. "... Not sure there is a front runner for Lopez, mainly because he likely opts out in July if only to secure a new long-term deal. That's a hard situation to predict because who gives assets to Brooklyn today for a player they can sign in July for nothing? That comes back to Brooklyn - they are not looking to dump Brook, they want to get better in a deal and I am not sure there is a team willing to do that yet.
"Chance he gets moved - I'd say is pretty high - 75-80%."
Lopez's injury history doesn't help, either. If Brooklyn is willing to sell low on Lopez, though, there's likely a team willing to take a gamble on the 7-footer.
In case you missed it, here's Stein and Youngmisuk's original report from last week:
"The Brooklyn Nets have begun reaching out to teams to let them know that former All-Stars Deron Williams, Brook Lopez and Joe Johnson are available via trade, ESPN.com has learned.
"League sources told ESPN.com that the Nets, off to a disappointing 8-11 start and looking to retool after last season's $190 million roster filled with veterans couldn't advance beyond the second round of the playoffs, have let it be known that they are prepared to move any of those franchise cornerstones in what would likely be separate deals if they came to fruition because of the high salaries each possess.
"Sources say no trade is imminent involving any of the three players."
