The Brooklyn Nets are looking to trade Brook Lopez, Deron Williams and Joe Johnson. Lopez is most likely to be moved as he has value on the court as a scoring big man and he is owed just one more season after this one. The Miami Heat have long been looking to increase in size and have Lopez on their radar.
via Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPNNewYork.com:
Hearing Nets continue to talk to teams about Brook Lopez. Sources say Miami has shown a strong interest.
While Lopez does bring the extra added offense the Heat need, he doesn’t really fit their system. There’s also the fact that Lopez is plagued with injury.
In 2011-12, Lopez played five total games because of foot injury. He would bounce back the next season, but the injury bug would force him to play less than 20 games in 2013-14. That’s definitely not what the Heat need, especially since he’s owed $15 million this season and $16 million the next (w/ a player option).
It will also be difficult to make a deal work because of the size of Lopez’ salary. For example, it fits under the rules if the Heat send Luol Deng and Josh McRoberts back, but that wouldn’t really solve the Nets’ “lets get some money off the books” plan.
h/t FanSided
