Do you guys really want Brook Lopez to go?

[BrooklynNetsFan]

I was listening to the NBA Today podcast and Ric Bucher was on and he was basically saying that Dwight could possibly choose between Lakers and the Nets. He was saying how the Magic could do a sign and trade to the Lakers between Bynum and Howard....and the Nets between Lopez and Howard. Am I the only one that really doesn't want to get rid of Lopez. I mean he is so versatile, good post moves, very good mid range jumper, excellent free throw shooter. The only thing his game seems to lack is intensity for 82 games...which could be the main reason his rebounds suffer so much. I really think he has the potential to be a top 3 center in the league in the next 3 years for a helluva lot less money than Howard. I don't want to be like the Knicks and trade young developing players for expensive "All Stars". Plus Howard and the whole free throw thing, where basically you can't really have the ball in his hands late in games because he can't hit a damn free throw!

[jeff1624]

If it's for Howard, absolutely. For DeMarcus Cousins, Joakim Noah or any other overrated Center?? helll nooo.

[624]

I am willing to give Lopez a chance to rebound(no pun) next season, and a lot of his hate is definitely unjustified. I also would never want to sell low on him.



However, if we can get Dwight Howard....sorry Brook.

[Jersey Generals]

Wait, you wouldn't trade Brook for Dwight Howard? And, as for having the ball in his hands late in the game, he wouldn't. If he was on the Nets, then Deron is on the Nets in all probability, meaning the ball would be in Deron's hands.

As for trading Brook for someone other than Howard, I'm open to it, depending on the return, but I don't think it should be for a band-aid player like many are throwing out around here. Something is deff. wrong with Brook this season, and it would only be fair to give him this summer to get right. If he's still rebounding at a 5rpg clip and is a lazy/bad man defender next season, then I don't know how much I'd re-sign him for next summer.

[Preludepunk27]

Personally, I can't answer this for another year.

In reality, I don't think Dwight Howard is the guy who would bring us a championship.

In reality, I wish we could get an angry mofo PF to play next to Brook who can stretch the floor (Derrick Williams-esque). I think Josh Smith would be close to this.

I'm still more concerned about finding a starting 2 and 3 though.

But Brook has shown he can be a force again...and that is just with DWill on the team. Imaging adding a wing like Danny Granger can possibly bring him back to full force even more. His stats with DWill on the floor are better than last years stats. I want to see a full season of them together, but in all honesty, I never really was interested in adding Dwight.

NOTE: I am NOT saying I wouldn't ever do it, I just don't know if I can actually give an answer right now. If I had to say it today, then I think I would, but still with some concern. Look at Orlando's roster...Dwight still can't get that team over the hump. Why would adding him push our current roster. Yes we may attract some other free agents, but I don't know. it's honestly a tough question to me.

If you ask me in a year, I'll probably say "How much money does he want?" then say "No thanks."

[BrooklynNetsFan]

I agree with you 100%... +100

Personally, I can't answer this for another year.

In reality, I don't think Dwight Howard is the guy who would bring us a championship.

In reality, I wish we could get an angry mofo PF to play next to Brook who can stretch the floor (Derrick Williams-esque). I think Josh Smith would be close to this.

I'm still more concerned about finding a starting 2 and 3 though.

But Brook has shown he can be a force again...and that is just with DWill on the team. Imaging adding a wing like Danny Granger can possibly bring him back to full force even more. His stats with DWill on the floor are better than last years stats. I want to see a full season of them together, but in all honesty, I never really was interested in adding Dwight.

NOTE: I am NOT saying I wouldn't ever do it, I just don't know if I can actually give an answer right now. If I had to say it today, then I think I would, but still with some concern. Look at Orlando's roster...Dwight still can't get that team over the hump. Why would adding him push our current roster. Yes we may attract some other free agents, but I don't know. it's honestly a tough question to me.

If you ask me in a year, I'll probably say "How much money does he want?" then say "No thanks."

[l3ulls3y3]

I really hope we do NOT go for Josh Smith.

The guy has regressed so much.

He doesn't drive anymore. Low Bball IQ.

He takes fadeaway jumpshots all game and doesn't make any. He's regressed a lot as a player.

We don't need a 4/5.

The way the team is built right now... we are set at the 1, 4, and 5 with D-Will, Kris and Brook.

Before we even think about upgrading Kris Humphries... let's worry about getting better at the 2 and 3 which Anthony Morrow and Sasha/Damion James play.

If we can get Dwight for Brook, hell yeah I'm all for it, unless it means giving up half the team like the Knicks did.

But for now, let's worry about the 2 and 3, why worry about trading Brook Lopez and getting better at the 4 when your starting 3 man is Vujacic?

[NyCeEvO]

We should work for ESPN. Some of us saw this way before Ric Bucher ever reported this possibility.

Anyway, while most of us fight over how good Lopez is and if we should keep him or not (with a good amount of us knowing not to judge too quickly), I haven't heard a single person prefer Lopez over Howard.

You mention Lopez offensive game and his versatility. And while I agree that Lopez has more range than Howard, a true center's game belongs in the paint. I know Lopez can make 15 foot jumpshots more than most center, but he's not paid to be an SG in C's body. He's paid to get rebounds, block shots, and score down low.

Dwight Howard's PER (26.25) is second only to LBJ (27.02) in the entire league. Lopez's PER this year is 43rd (18.47) behind the likes of Tony Allen (18.67) and Ryan Anderson (18.77). Howard's FG% is at 60% while Lopez is at 48.2% (which is far too low for a center).

Howard averages more ppg than Lopez despite his lesser array of moves. He averages almost 2.5 times the amount of rebounds per game that Lopez averages. 2.5 times!!!!!

And defensively, it's not even close. Howard is the reigning two-time DPOY. No one wants to come near the basket. Lopez is not known for defense at all.

It's not even close. The second Billy King hears "How-" come out of Otis Smith's mouth on that telephone, Brook's suitcases will already be in Orlando and he'll be hanging out with Mickey.

[deepblueday]

Well, it depends on what we can get for him. But yes, I do hope we are shopping him.

The thing is, people act like all of Brook's problems developed this year, but that just isn't true. He's always been a horrible defender and passer, and his rebounding regressed significantly from his first to second year as well. Brook and his potential have really been all Net's fans have had to cling to for last couple of seasons, so people are understandably attached, but it's becoming increasingly clear that he just doesn't have it. There's no question he has the best touch of any true center in the NBA, but he lacks the aggression, the quickness, or the offensive feel to ever become a dominant big man. I mean, we can all see what happens when he's your team's best player... To be fair, no one thinks he's good enough to build a successful team around, but the guy doesn't even want the ball.

Brook's probably a number three option on a true contender, and even then he's hurting you with his astounding weakness and stupidity on the defensive end. The Net's will be a good team next year if they make a few smart moves, but I can't envision any team with Brook playing 35 MPG ever developing the grit and defensive mentality that ever single true championship contender possesses. Moving him for an explosive wing and pursuing a tough-minded, defensive center just seems like a much more desirable course to me than trying to build a team which compensates for Brook's weaknesses.

A better question I think is, what kind of contract are you really willing to give him? It's a decision we're going to be facing relatively quickly.

[NyCeEvO]

Yes, many of you are right that D-Will and D12 do not equal a championship but that goal is much closer than D-Will and Lopez.

Plus, the only thing that makes Indiana relevant is Granger. They don't want Danny to leave and he's already looking forward to trying to get players to come to Indianapolis to play with him. The Pacers don't need to trade him and Granger doesn't want to be traded.

If the Magic don't win it all this year, they may very well have a need to trade Howard unlike the Pacers with Granger.

Guys, this isn't like the Knicks getting Melo. We acquired the arguably the best PG in the game when healthy. Howard is the best C in the game and he dominates on defense on like no other player today. Melo is not the best SF in the league and he doesn't play defense. LBJ and Durant are both better forwards than he is and they have a much greater impact on the game.

If a deal for Howard can't be done, then we still have one of the best Cs in the game who will come at a cheaper price than Howard. However, just because Howard is more expensive doesn't mean that it's a bad move. He impacts the game a lot more than what we're giving him credit for.

If a team has two max contracts and still has $12-15 mill left over in salary cap space, you do that deal especially if there's an MLE and/or LLE. I'm almost 100% Bird rights will still exist so that plays into our hands even more when we're trying to retain good players.

[NyCeEvO]

A better question I think is, what kind of contract are you really willing to give him? It's a decision we're going to be facing relatively quickly.

Exactly! And while we may think Brook won't get that much money, I guarantee that he'd ask for 5 yrs/55-70mil and that's a lot of money and a long time commitment for a guy that doesn't bring it all the time.

[deepblueday]

But Brook has shown he can be a force again...and that is just with DWill on the team. Imaging adding a wing like Danny Granger can possibly bring him back to full force even more. His stats with DWill on the floor are better than last years stats. I want to see a full season of them together, but in all honesty, I never really was interested in adding Dwight.

So let me get this straight, you'd prefer a trio of Deron, Granger, and Brook to a trio of Deron, Granger, and Dwight?

And I realize he's just an example, but Granger's an impossibility without offering Brook anyway.

NOTE: I am NOT saying I wouldn't ever do it, I just don't know if I can actually give an answer right now. If I had to say it today, then I think I would, but still with some concern. Look at Orlando's roster...Dwight still can't get that team over the hump.

Yes, look at it. It pretty much sucks. And he single-handedly turns them into a very good team.

Why would adding him push our current roster.

Umm, because he's the most dominant big man in the NBA on both ends of the court? C'mon, defend Brook, don't give up on him yet, fine, but don't be silly. If you can move him for Dwight, you do it and you don't think twice. Deron Williams, a good wing, Dwight Howard, and an ok supporting cast is the favorite to come out of the East.

[l3ulls3y3]

Is upgrading Brook Lopez more important at this point than upgrading Vujacic and Morrow?

Come on guys. I think picking up Dwight for Brook is the last thing we should be focusing on. If the deal comes up, we'll take it... but we desperately need a 2 and a 3.

[vincecarter4pres]

Personally, I can't answer this for another year.

In reality, I don't think Dwight Howard is the guy who would bring us a championship.

In reality, I wish we could get an angry mofo PF to play next to Brook who can stretch the floor (Derrick Williams-esque). I think Josh Smith would be close to this.

I'm still more concerned about finding a starting 2 and 3 though.

But Brook has shown he can be a force again...and that is just with DWill on the team. Imaging adding a wing like Danny Granger can possibly bring him back to full force even more. His stats with DWill on the floor are better than last years stats. I want to see a full season of them together, but in all honesty, I never really was interested in adding Dwight.

NOTE: I am NOT saying I wouldn't ever do it, I just don't know if I can actually give an answer right now. If I had to say it today, then I think I would, but still with some concern. Look at Orlando's roster...Dwight still can't get that team over the hump. Why would adding him push our current roster. Yes we may attract some other free agents, but I don't know. it's honestly a tough question to me.

If you ask me in a year, I'll probably say "How much money does he want?" then say "No thanks."

Wait, you're not serious right?

Please tell me you're joking?

SMH man, I can't believe people are even debating this.

I love the idea of the homegrown guy helping lead his team to the promise land as much as the next guy and would only trade Brook for a handful of players, but this is Dwight Howard we're talking about here, right?

Dwight is a top 5 player, IMO 2nd best player in the league and the most dominant big man in the game, he carries overrated, overpriced and under talented Magic teams deep every season.

I mean, I can't even wrap my head around this right now.

Dwight can't lead us to a chip, but Brook Freakin' Lopez is "a force"?!

SMFH.

[l3ulls3y3]

lol. If the Nets could acquire Dwight right now for Brook, Billy King would do it in a heartbeat. ANY GM would do it in a heartbeat.

That all depends on Dwight. Whether he wants to sign an extension here and that also depends on how they perform in the playoffs this year.

We just have to wait and see. I don't think it's a question of whether you'd trade Brook for him, because everyone in their right mind would.

It depends on Dwight, and how the Magic perform in the playoffs, pretty much the bottom line.

We can offer our whole roster, but unless Dwight doesn't want to sign an extension here then the deal won't be done. Similar to Melo, except now we have D-Will to help persuade him.

[vincecarter4pres]

If we can trade for Dwight this offseason or by the deadline next season, we aren't waiting for his blessing in the form of an extension, the deal will be a stone cold lock as done, I'm not sure what people don't understand here.

[l3ulls3y3]

.. then I'm missing something.

Why would we trade for Dwight unless he commits to an extension, like Melo did if the guy can just get up and leave after next season.

Doesn't make sense, explain please.

[Jersey Generals]

If you trade for Dwight, with Deron still here, and you can't convince them both to stay? Then you don't deserve to own a team and be a billionaire.

[l3ulls3y3]

If we trade for Dwight both him and Deron are expirings... then you have to convince Deron to stay too.

Whatever, it's all speculation. We'll see what happens

[vincecarter4pres]

LOL wut?!

We just traded for Deron with no extension with little in the form of true players to convince him to resign, but we're not going to do the same with Dwight, when we already have Deron on the roster?!

We're all in people, get it.