The Nets have been shopping All-Star center Brook Lopez for quite some time, but after engaging into several trade negotiations, the overpaid big man remains in Brooklyn. According to multiple NBA insiders, Lopez is still expected to be moved before trade deadline, though no one knows where he'll end up.
For Bleacher Report columnist Chris Rolling, the Los Angeles Lakers seem to be a perfect place for the 26-year old North Hollywood, California native to resume his career.
It has been rough past two years for Lopez, who underwent multiple surgeries to fix back and foot issues and lost his starting job to a backup this year. But there's hope the former Stanford standout could still turn things around, although it would take a great deal of risk for a team to gamble on Lopez not only because he's injury-prone but the financial burden ($16.7M players option for 2015-16 season) he will bring along.
The Lakers, who have also expressed interest in Lopez, per report by Yahoo Sports insider Adrian Wojnarowski, might be willing to take a risk on Lopez. After all, the 7-foot, 275-pound Lopez once proved he can be among the best big men in the league when healthy, and his this season's statistical line (14.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.6 blocks) isn't shabby at all.
Moreover, Roling added making a run for Lopez's services makes sense for the Lakers. With another disappointing year in the books, the franchise direly needs a talent that can help them speed up the journey back to title contention. Although All-Star big men Marc Gasol and LaMarcus Aldridge are going to be available next summer, there's no assurance the Lakers will be their top-choice.
For Roling, Lopez is the best fix in the front-court the Lakers could afford right now. As to how they can acquire Lopez, the Bleacher Report suggested it would probably take a first-round pick (via Houston Rockets), an expiring contract from Jordan Hill and some slick talking by Lakers GM Mitch Kupchack to pull it off.
"Should the Lakers land Lopez, it means both starting slots underneath the rim are secure. In other words, the front office can then go out and splurge on any number of big names in the backcourt to run with Bryant," according to Roling.
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