Grantlands’s Zach Lowe is reporting that league executives are expecting Nets center Brook Lopez to opt-out from his $16.7 million player option this offseason.
Lopez has been one of the hottest players in the league as of late, winning back-to-back Eastern Conference Player of the week, as well as six 30 point games in the Nets last 12 contests.
On the season, the seven-year vet from Standford is averaging 17.1 points, 7.3 rebounds on 52% shooting from the field.
It will be interesting to see what Lopez and the Nets do this offseason. Lopez has made it known that he enjoys playing for the Nets, however the team has shown him neglect for the past couple years.
The team has tried traded him multiple times just this season alone, and multiple times in the past. At the beginning of the season it was reported that him and head coach Lionel Hollins didn’t see eye-to-eye, and the Nets cap situation is terrible.
The Nets do have Mason Plumlee if Lopez decides to walk, but Pliumlee doesn’t have the offensive game of Lopez. Lopez has been the Nets MVP this season and the main reason that they are back in the playoff chase.
Two things are certain, Lopez will get paid a hefty salary next season, either by the Nets or by someone else, and Nets fans will be keeping a close eye on this “situation.”
