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Brook Lopez is a constant in trade rumors, but should remain with Brooklyn Nets

By Leo Mar

Apr 4, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) reacts during the second half against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. The Brooklyn Nets won 141-118. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 4, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) reacts during the second half against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. The Brooklyn Nets won 141-118. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Brooklyn Nets are constantly involved in rumors to trade Brook Lopez, but for what? Unproven “assets?”

There’s three seconds on the clock, and it’s Brooklyn ball from half-court. The Brooklyn Nets are down two with zero timeouts remaining, here at the Barclays Center. The ref hands the ball to Justin Hamilton, who is looking for an open Brook Lopez for the shot. Lopez runs up the key past the three-point line thanks to a screen set by rookie Caris LeVert. Lopez catches, shoots and…

One common theme that doesn’t seem to ever go away from the Brooklyn Nets is the constant trade rumors revolving around Lopez. Every year, it’s the same question: will they trade him, or won’t they?

Some have suggested this is the guaranteed year he will get moved. At one point, I was very much on board with this idea, given the Nets’ lack of draft picks and general bad management from the previous regime.

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It’s very easy to see why one would want him traded. Some fans feel he’s not good enough. Others feel that he has a losing mentality because of his dedication to the Nets despite the team’s lack of success. Some even say he’s not a “superstar.”

I beg to differ. What is the meaning of superstar? Is it someone who scores at will? Is it a NBA first team defender? A champion? Is it someone who puts himself above his team by taking his own child on the bench with him? Is a superstar someone who has all that talent so he acts like child on the bench by playing “flip the water bottle on the court?” Or is it someone who complains that he doesn’t have enough help around him, so he leaves his fans and the organization that gave him a chance to shine, thus creating a justice league in a different environment?

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Lopez has always been a great player. He’s always had the talent the Nets are seeing now. They just never had a staff in place to help him further his progress. The Nets are now reaping the benefits of drafting many years ago, but are finally developing a player that, in my humble opinion, is Tim Duncan-esque.

A player who can score in bunches, a player who is finally showing his defensive potential. A player who fully bought into the current coach’s style and who’s teaching the younger generation the proper meaning of the word “superstar.”

So, should the Nets still trade Lopez? Should they still take a chance to trade their franchise cornerstone; quite possibly the heart and soul of their club; the epitome of everything their coach is preaching and throw him away for a younger unproven, maybe-talent?

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The draft every year is a big risk. A team never knows whether the player it’s getting may turn into talent, but what about his motor? What are his people skills? What are his team skills? Nets fans have been through that before with a former point guard who had all the talent, but he mentally checked out.

Going through the draft history since 1996-2000, teams have produced both superstars and role players. However, going from 2001 onward, only a handful of them have produced bonafide “role players.”  Most have produced just names on a sheet.

Yes, there is some level of superstardom at the top of the draft, but what about the picks in between? Those are the picks that matter, and it’s not worth taking a chance on another player who’s as unproven as a one-and-done college player, because it won’t help in the future.

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The answer is no. Lopez should remain in Brooklyn, and the Nets should reap what they are sewing into him right now. They’ll reap the leadership, the scoring, the newfound defense, the teammate and ultimately, the superstar.