Miami Heat: Trade Talks Resume For Brook Lopez?
By Marcus Bass
While there’s a lack of progress in trade talks between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Brooklyn Nets, deals continue to churn out for center Brook Lopez. Once again, the Miami Heat have emerged as a team interested in trading for Lopez.
The Nets are facing a full rebuild while currently sitting in the eighth seed in the eastern conference, with a disappointing 17-24 record. Reports have surfaced which suggest the Nets will move their star players this season, unloading their hefty contracts. In essence, they’re not just looking to start over; they also want a clean slate in salary.
Originally reported by ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk, the Heat are showing strong interest in acquiring the big man.
ile there’s a lack of progress in trade talks between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Brooklyn Nets, deals continue to churn out for center Brook Lopez. Once again, the Miami Heat have emerged as a team interested in trading for Lopez.
The Nets are facing a full rebuild while currently sitting in the eighth seed in the east, with a disappointing 17-24 record. Reports have surfaced which suggest the Nets will move their star players this season, unloading their hefty contracts. In essence they’re not just looking to start over, they also want a clean slate in salary.
Originally reported by ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk, the Heat are showing strong interest in acquiring the big man.
Hearing Nets continue to talk to teams about Brook Lopez. Sources say Miami has shown a strong interest.
— Ohm Youngmisuk (@NotoriousOHM) January 14, 2015
According to Adrian Wojnarowski:
"Talks had gained traction Friday morning after the Nets refused to include Charlotte in a three-way deal that would’ve sent combustible guard Lance Stephenson to Brooklyn, sources said. Oklahoma City and Brooklyn have been talking on and off about a Lopez deal for several weeks, sources said.The Nets backed away from the idea of simply moving Lopez on a salary dump, without the ability to bring back value on his talent, league sources said.Nevertheless, discussions could begin again with a simple alteration of an offer, and the Nets’ desire to move Lopez soon remains unchanged."
When’s the last time the Heat have had a solid center? Alonzo Mourning? They’re long overdue, and while trading for Brook Lopez makes sense, there’s that tiny issue of assets needed to get a deal done.
Lopez would be a great fit for Miami, who currently own the league’s slowest pace of play, averaging only 89 possessions per 48 minutes. Along Bosh, the Heat could add a new high/low-post element to their roster that’s currently missing.
In 29 games played this season, Lopez is currently averaging 14.6 points and 6.3 rebounds. He’s already appeared in 12 more contests than last year where he battled injuries for the majority of the season.
Trading for Lopez would be a tough task for Heat president Pat Riley. Trading for Lopez would most likely take a combination of forward Luol Deng and center Chris Andersen.
It’s a move Miami should seriously consider. However, it’s a gamble. Losing Deng’s production on the wing for what’s already a team who doesn’t get many shots off could seriously lower their points total. If Lopez sits too much on the sideline, the Heat will have also traded away another player capable of banging down low and grabbing rebounds (Andersen).
However, all things considered, if the Heat are looking for more post scoring, they should look at Lopez.
He has a $16.7 million player option on his contract for the 2015-16 season. Rest assured, Lopez will be opting in, and whichever team trades for him will be in it for the long haul. Add the issue of salary to his complicated history of multiple foot injuries, moving the Nets big man will happen — it’s just going to take time.
Don’t expect a trade for Lopez in the next few weeks. It’s likely he’s not in a Nets uniform by the All-Star break, but inevitable he won’t finish the season with Brooklyn.