With Brook Lopez likely becoming available on the trading front by February trade deadline, the Los Angeles Lakers should look into the possibility of trading for the All-Star big man, even it may cost the franchise one of their promising young talents.
Despite his status as one of the most offensively gifted center in the game today, the 26-year old Lopez has become indispensable for the Nets because of his struggle to stay healthy in the last three seasons (not to mention the speedy development of Mason Plumlee at center position).
After becoming an All-Star in his fifth NBA season, Lopez was expected to evolve into a better player the Nets’ next campaign. However, a serious foot injury sidelined him for the remainder of the season after playing just 17 games. Lopez averaged 20.7 points and 6 rebounds that year.
Sheridan Hoops writer Michael Scotto believed general manager Billy King will eventually pull off another blockbuster trade if things don’t pan out well this coming season.
After losing tons of cash in an ambitious attempt to form a championship-caliber team in Brooklyn, Russian business Mikhail Prokhorov is now taking a conservative approach and even considering in selling the franchise if a right deal is presented.
Meanwhile, the Nets front office has grown tired of seeing Lopez’ career got derailed with injuries, putting pressure on the center to live up to expectation under new head coach Lionel Hollins and his pick-and-roll heavy offense.
Then again, Scotto really believed the Nets are on a brink of pushing the restart button if modest goals aren’t met. Unfortunately for Lopez, he’s going to be the most ideal trade bait the Nets will use to start their rebuilding effort.
"In recent years, there have been numerous trade rumors regarding Lopez's availability - most notably during trade talks for Dwight Howard. Does that mean King is willing to trade Lopez in the hopes of jump-starting a rebuilding process early? It's unlikely based on the expectations of ownership, but it is a scenario that could be explored nonetheless," Scotto stated in his Nets preview.
"It would be out of character for King if a deal wasn't made by the trade deadline. With that in mind, Lopez appears to be his most desirable trade asset."
Will the Lakers Gamble on Lopez?
Many basketball pundits claimed the Lakers have no enticing trade asset to pull off a big deal. However, through the first two games of the season, former Kentucky Wildcats standout Julius Randle showed that he can really play at high level.
Despite being projected as a second-stringer behind projected power forward starter Carlos Boozer in the Lakers rotation, the 19-year old Randle is going to receive a lot of playing time from Lakers head coach Byron Scott, who considered the 7th overall pick in 2014 Draft as a very special player.
Then again, while it’s true that Randle is loaded with great potential, his development in becoming an elite power forward in the game will take time, and it seems the 36-years old Kobe Bryant cannot wait much longer to contend or another title.
The Lakers could instantly bolster their front-line, especially at the center spot, by offering a package around Randle and a first-round pick (probably the one they acquired from the Houston Rockets in the Jeremy Lin trade) in exchange for Lopez.
Of course, it’s going to be a big gamble for the Lakers because Randle might turn into a perennial All-Star three to four years from now while Lopez could be a bust because of health problems, but the franchise should start surrounding Bryant (who could retire at the end his two-year contract) with proven veterans capable of producing big numbers consistently.
Lopez can be the double-double machine former purple-and-gold big men Pau Gasol and Shaquille O’Neal were with Bryant in the Lakers previous championship runs, while Randle is still pretty much raw to make that immense impact right now.
It’s not about Randle skills, it’s about giving Bryant a trusted side-kick for another championship push late in his career, and Lopez seems to be an ideal starting piece for another Lakers dynasty in the making.
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