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Brook Lopez Proving, Yet Again, Just How Valuable He Can Be

By Max Prinz

Nov 29, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) reacts after hitting a three point shot against the Los Angeles Clippers during the first quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 29, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) reacts after hitting a three point shot against the Los Angeles Clippers during the first quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Amid an almost constant flurry of trade rumors, Brook Lopez has been a key player for the Brooklyn Nets for eight seasons. His game gets taken for granted, but this season, with a surprisingly sweet stroke from deep, he’s made himself even more valuable.

Since arriving in the league in 2008, Brook Lopez has been one of the most offensively talented big men in the NBA. He’s remained a fulcrum for the Brooklyn Nets, a place the team could rely on for offense even when it was struggling.

This has made his name appear almost constantly in trade rumors. It took just three weeks into this season for the first report that the Nets were listening to offers for Lopez.

Lopez is far from the platonic ideal of a modern NBA big man. He’s awkward, slow and plodding and has never provided an excess of rim protection. He’s yet to average double digit rebounds in a single season.

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This season though, is a different story. In addition to be skilled on the block, Lopez has started taking — and making — threes. He’s taken his game to a higher level and proving, yet again just how valuable he can be.

There are six big men currently averaging five three-point attempts per game. Most of them — Channing Frye, Kevin Love, Ryan Anderson — are unsurprising names. Lopez has added his name to that list and is connecting on a mind-boggling 37.8 percent of his threes.

It’s a staggering development in the game of a former low-post behemoth. Lopez had attempted just 31 threes in his entire career prior to this season. Now, 33 percent of his points are coming from behind the arc.

It is true that he’s spending less time on the block this season, but he has maintained virtually the same level of efficiency. Last season he averaged .95 points per possession on 6.1 post up possessions per game. This year, he’s averaging 4.8 possessions and scoring .91 points per, a figure right on par with players like Kevin Love and Karl-Anthony Towns.

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He’s also stepped up in an increased leadership role this year. His presence has a calming effect on this younger group of Nets and the team plays with a different level of know-how whenever he is on the floor.

If he continues to connect on his attempts from deep and serve as the offensive foundation, Lopez’s value keep rising. He was likely a trade asset prior to this season and his newfound proficiency from deep is going to make him even more attractive. General manager Sean Marks will have to think hard about trading him if a team offers Brooklyn a first round pick.

However, the center market has never been deeper than it is in the current NBA. It’s hard to picture any team parting with an incredibly valuable draft pick — and the team friendly contract it comes with — to get Lopez and his $22 million contract.

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And there’s nothing wrong with that. Lopez’s value has always been higher to the Nets than it has anywhere else. He will remain a consistently solid contributor. Lopez has made it clear this season that the Nets got everything they ever could’ve wanted out of the No. 10 overall pick eight years ago.