Brook Lopez?

[shrink]

ORL may feel the clock ticking on Dwight Howard now, and NJN has stepped up as a team that would make an offer for him without a guaranteed extension. Unfortunately, Brook Lopez broke his foot, and could be out for 1-2 months.

I worry about Lopez fit, and his next contract, but we have a big hole at center. Would you make an ogger to bring him in to complete an NJN-ORL deal?

[kobe_vs_jordan]

Not sure how love and lopez would co exist. Neither do majority of their damage in the paint. I could see t-wolves offering a package centered around Beasley with Randolph or Johnson added in.

[Swish4]

I think big guys with foot problems are a red flag, especially considering the problems his brother has had. Love Lopez as a player, but too risky IMO.

[The J Rocka]

We're not going to dump our Beasley + Johnson package for a young center like Lopez. It's going to take more than Williams to get him.

[kobe_vs_jordan]

I started at Beasley plus because would the t-wolves really want to send something of value for a center coming off a big foot injury. I think realistically it would have to be Williams in the Lopez if Lopez is perfectly healthy.

[Torcher]

I would rather pursue a decent interior shot-blocking center like Dalambert, Varejao, or Okafor (maybe his brother Robin would be a better fit) than go all out for Brook who is another defensive liability. I'm not saying he wouldn't help us, just that there are better centers available that fit our need.

[shrink]

I agree with you, and I think we need a strong defensive center to pair with Kevin Love. I'm not saying that they would be more valuable than Lopez either, but right now, it seems like there is a chance for some great value. NJN really needs to be winning games right now, to encourage Deron Williams to want to stay, and ORL may need to move Dwight right now, before his value drops. In fact, I've seen a NOH fan say he'd trade Okafor and the MIN pick for him. I wonder if we could get in on that, with something like?

NJN GIVES: Lopez + cap space + 2 picks
NJN GETS: Dwight + Turkoglu

NOH GIVES: Okafor + MIN pick
NOH GETS: Lopez

MIN GIVES: Pekovic + Brad Miller (cap space)
MIN GETS: Okafor

ORL GIVES: Dwight (unextended) + Turkoglu
ORL GETS: Pekovic + cap space + 2 picks + MIN pick

NJN does it to encourage Deron to stay.
NOH might do it to get a younger center, and move Okafor. Lopez injury helps their pick.

[kobe_vs_jordan]

Not sure if you could convince ORL or NOH to agree to the trade. ORL state they don't want to rebuild they want veterans. Think NOH would prefer to keep the pick than lose their bloated contract. Not like they will be competing seriously this year or next.