Wednesday, July 11th, 2012 at 9:00 am  |  118 responses

Brook Lopez Reportedly Close to Max Deal from Brooklyn Nets


by Marcel Mutoni / @marcel_mutoni

For now, the prevailing wisdom around the NBA, appears to be that the proposed Dwight Howard trade to Brooklyn has fallen apart.

There’s now increased chatter of Dwight possibly heading to Los Angeles, as part of another complex three-team deal.

Which opens the door for the Nets to ink restricted free agent center Brook Lopez to a maximum level contract, which reportedly could be finalized today.

Per Yahoo! Sports:

Nets president Billy King and Lopez’s agent, Arn Tellem, are finalizing the length of the deal – four years for $58 million, or five years for $78 million – and ironing out protections on the back end to account for a right foot that Lopez broke twice in the past year, sources said.

As close as the Nets and Lopez are on a deal, several sources wouldn’t rule out the possibility of Lopez still signing an offer sheet with another team for the full four-year, $58 million maximum contract if the final details are unable to be worked out. The Charlotte Bobcats have shown the most interest in signing Lopez to a max sheet, sources said. The Nets would undoubtedly match, but signing the offer sheet would be a way for Lopez to avoid any partial guarantees based on games that the Nets might want in his deal. King is scheduled to travel to Los Angeles on Wednesday to work on completing the deal with Tellem.

It all remains very fluid at this point, with Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic’s front-office holding much of the NBA hostage until a decision is finally made.

Should Brook Lopez ink his deal with the Brooklyn Nets, he can’t be part of any trade package until January 15.

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  • http://Slamonline.com nbk

    This isn’t 2002. 4′s now a day are used to stretch the floor as much as they are to play with their back to the basket. It being “your team” means absolutely nothing. If anything, people who speak about “their” team have an opinion that is affected by some kind of bias. My comparisons came from Draft Express – nbadraft – and I believe I saw the Ryan Anderson comp from inside hoops. Draft Express is where the Brian Cardinal/Brian Scalabrine comparison comes from. So before you go bananas trying to critique my comparisons for “not being convincing” maybe double check your not saying something completely ignorant. Unless of course, you think scouts who evaluate talent for a living know less than you, some douchebag who thinks his opinion has any merit in actual reality because it’s “his team” – the difference between my opinion and yours? Mine comes from observation AND professional opinions while yours comes from you being a fan of a team. How often am I wrong about the position a player plays? Have you ever seen me give bad information about what position a guy would play in the league? This is just like the Derrick Williams conversation last season when people argued he’d be Minnesota’s starting SF while I had totry and show them why he was going to play the PF more than anything. Which just liked this conversation, was completely true.

  • http://Slamonline.com nbk

    David Aldridge just said in all likelihood Kris Humphries is not returning to Brooklyn on NbATV, you see that mysterious source? If what I say is relayed 5 hours later on national television it would be smart to believe I am educated on the things I’m talking about….

  • http://www.nba.com Dacre

    Roll credits. . . .

  • ALD

    Mirza Tetovic is like a poor man’s kevin love from looking at the highlights. He can shoot and put the ball on the floor a little. Hopefully if he makes open shots and rebounds, brook lopez will have every opportunity to dominate.. and if he does, dwill and jj will have fun.

  • http://www.rich-imaging.com Dutch Rich

    Must be your troll again….

  • http://twitter.com/sooperfadeaway nbk

    naw

  • http://www.rich-imaging.com Dutch Rich

    London will show how he performs against NBA elite and whether his offensive skill set is better suited at the SF or PF position. Most NBA experts don’t know this (except Donnie Nelson) so why should I trust you. After all your placenta hasn’t fully dried up yet.
    Draftexpress has him projected at both spots. I know you saw that but I guess it didn’t suit your argument. Or maybe your lacking sleep??? This also can make people less rational. In the mean time I hope we re-sign Hump we need him for his D at the 4 position. David Aldridge is wrong as many times as he is right. Marc Spears too.
    But I’m glad they have you entertained, so they can justify their salaries because You! My friend! are that important.

    I

  • http://slamonline.com LakeShow

    Good times.. (Adam Corolla voice)

  • http://slamonline.com nbk

    Draft Express has him as a PF at the NBA level, it says Current: PF – NBA:PF – Possible: SF/PF. It says “possible” PF/SF – Possible meaning, it’s possible, but not what he will be playing. Especially right away. Plus, his Pre-Draft Measurement of 6’9″ 240LB’s is from 2006. He’s actually 6’9″ 250-260. He would never be able to play any semblance of big minutes at the 3, especially considering (with that weight) as you’ve said, he’s not very athletic. So you can’t play him at a position that forces him to guard guys like LeBron, Carmelo, Durant, Granger, Pierce, Gay, Iguodala, ect. But you can play him at the 4, and deal with the LESSER mismatch at those positions. Plus, offensively, he would not create a mismatch on anyone at the 3 position. But he would at the 4. Which is why that’s the position he WILL play.
    .
    London will show you Teletovic playing the 4. Because he can’t play the 3 against NBA players. And if he does play the 3, it will be in a big lineup that features another shooter at the 4, both being used as pseudo 4′s that try and exploit the high pick and roll.
    .
    I know I am right about Teletovic playing the 4 at the NBA level. Scouts and my observation are much more reliable then you and your opinion. Whether you believe it or not.

  • http://slamonline.com nbk

    After Tiago Splitter left, Caja Laboral decided to set up Mirza in the post quite a bit. Post-ups accounted for nearly 23% of Mirza’s offense this season and he produced at a good rate (.81 PPP), according to Synergy.

  • http://slamonline.com nbk

    The good news for Nets fans is that Mirza’s really not too bad of a defender. The simple fact is he guards the post really well. On 128 post possessions recorded by Synergy, held his opponent to 38.6% shooting and .727 PPP. His defensive post numbers were really good the previous season (’10-11) as well.

  • http://slamonline.com nbk

    Having the option of using Teletovic to attack defenses with the two-man game certainly provides more offensive variety than any four on Brooklyn’s radar, making the burgeoning new-look Nets an interesting offensive team.

  • http://slamonline.com nbk

    In closing. Mirza Teletovic is a 4, who has a chance to play spot minutes as a 3. But he will be a 4, the Nets used the full-mid-level exception in order to get him to provide offensive balance to the PF position. Considering Humphries/Evans complete lack of offensive weapons.

  • http://www.rich-imaging.com Dutch Rich

    Mirza should not start at the 4. He should be first to come off the bench. The advantage is on offense not on defense. They could play zone for al I care. Never said Mirza wasn’t athletic, re-read my comment. I’m spot on with eZ@3:44 but hope Humphries comes back and starts at the 4. Go Brooklyn!!
    We shall see.

  • http://Slamonline.com nbk

    Never argued what he should or shouldn’t do.

  • http://www.rich-imaging.com Dutch Rich

    https://twitter.com/sheridanhoops/status/223141489272827906
    Let’s not forget Mirza will be an NBA Rookie playing for a pretty stacked team.
    Just don’t think it’s wise to hand him the starting 4 spot. Can’t find any reports making that claim.
    But once again if what your sources say is true then I think it was promised to convince him to come.

    This Nets team has the talent to win the Atlantic and possible get 3rd or 4th in the East, IMO.

  • http://Slamonline.com nbk

    Chris Sheridan is making a career out of being wrong just to let you know. He’s the guy who guaranteed LAC wouldn’t make the playoffs last year. He also tried to tell everyone Deight to Brooklyn was still going to happen when it was obvious Brooklyn didn’t have enough to offer.

  • http://www.rich-imaging.com Dutch Rich

    You’re like the Black Night.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKhEw7nD9C4

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