NBN Roundtable: Trade Deadline Edition

With the NBA trade deadline approaching this month, the NBN team discusses trade-related topics centered around the Brooklyn Nets.

Should the Nets Trade Brook Lopez? Why or Why Not?

Sandy Mui: Brook Lopez has been the face of the Nets franchise since the end of the Jason Kidd-Vince Carter-Richard Jefferson era, but unfortunately, it’s time for the Nets to part ways with him. I say this with a considerable amount of regret because Lopez has given the Nets so much for eight-and-a-half seasons. However, this could be an even greater reason for him to be traded. Lopez is a talented player, but the Nets have not gotten far with him, and he’s done enough for the Nets to deserve a chance on a legitimate playoff contender.

Plus, as countless media outlets have already pointed out, he doesn’t fit in the direction of the Nets’ rebuild, though he has been adjusting well to Kenny Atkinson‘s uptempo, three-point shooting offense. As for when and where Lopez will be traded, it gets more complicated. Few teams are in need of an offensive-minded center who struggles in rebounding, or even a center at all.

Additionally, the Nets are asking for two first-round draft picks for the big man, and it’s unlikely teams will offer that amount — the likelier option is one player and one first-round draft pick. One team I wouldn’t mind seeing Lopez on is the Blazers (my guilty pleasure team). Portland is a playoff contender but has been struggling lately, so they may be looking to make changes. And they’re a playoff team, so sending Lopez there wouldn’t hurt my integrity as a Nets fan.

TJ Porreca: Brook Lopez has been with the Nets since the then-New Jersey franchise selected him in the first round of the 2008 NBA Draft. In the time since, Lopez has been with the franchise through a move to Brooklyn, an era of high expectations, and now a rebuild. The Nets have always had an asset in Lopez. His name appearing in or centered around trade rumors is nothing new.

To some, its felt like only a matter of time until the Nets ultimately trade their best player. The time is now. Yes, the Nets would lose the face of their franchise. But the Nets, even with Lopez, are not in a position to contend. And with that in mind, Brooklyn could accelerate its rebuild by dealing Lopez for a first round pick, or ideally two first round picks.

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Matt Pisani: There is no way the Nets should trade Brook Lopez. The only way you can trade Lopez is if Brooklyn has another big man/scorer and the Nets get draft picks in the deal. I’m not talking about late second round picks. Lottery picks. Yes, we know Brook is a subpar rebounder and a mediocre defender, but he has been an integral part of the Nets since he got here.

Trading Lopez, who is not that old, for one draft pick is useless because Brooklyn still will not get a big man. Maybe they draft one, but who knows how effective they will be in the NBA. Keep your assets and build around them. Sean Marks added Jeremy Lin, Isaiah Whitehead, and Caris LeVert so far in addition to Lopez, so let him continue to build around him. Let him be the leader and figure that he is for the franchise. The Nets still need pieces, but a scoring big man is not one of them.

Charles Daye: Yes, it’s time. Brook Lopez has shown nothing but loyalty, he has been nothing but a good teammate and by all indications, a positive force in the locker room. However, if he is your best offensive player, chances are you are not a winning team. Billy King left the Nets devoid of draft picks, if the Nets can get two first round picks for him, do it. It does not matter if they are the 30th pick in the draft, two first round draft picks will help this team moving forward more than Lopez can. At the time of this writing, the Nets still only have 9 wins. Keeping Lopez for the sake of keeping him makes no sense. Build for tomorrow and embrace the future.