Report: Nets Turn Down Nuggets Offer For Brook Lopez

Ever since the Nets admitted in December they were shopping their expensive trio of stars, Brook Lopez, Joe Johnson and Deron Williams, the trade rumors before the Feb. 19 deadline have centered largely on Brook. That’s because his current contract is likely more palatable for teams hoping to acquire the big man. Unfortunately for the Nuggets, Brooklyn wanted more than Denver recently offered.

A few teams have been tied to Brook since it became clear Brooklyn was hoping to clean house. The Heat expressed interest, then the Thunder stepped up to the plate in a three-team deal that also fizzled.

The Thunder then tried to go it alone to acquire him, but that path also fell apart with the Rockets entering the mix for the center’s services, even with Dwight Howard.

Now sources tell ESPN.com the Nuggets offered JaVale McGee and J.J. Hickson, plus one of the two draft picks Denver picked up by dealing Timofey Mozgov to the Cavs.

Those same sources say Brooklyn has balked at the deal so far.

Lopez will make $15.7 million this season and has a player option for $16.7 million next year. Conversely, Joe Johnson is owed closed to $48 million the next two years, and Deron Williams will make close to $40 million the next two seasons before a team can terminate the final year of his deal (worth north of $22.3 million).

Lopez is averaging 15.3 points (on 50 percent shooting) and 6.2 rebounds in 26.9 minutes per game this season. He’s missed time with foot injuries the last few years — never good with a seven-footer — but he’s appeared in 36 games so far this season, most recently coming off the bench as coach Lionel Hollins experiments with different lineups.

Opponents are shooting 49.7 percent at the rim when he’s on the floor, which is actually lower than such defensive studs as Tyson Chandler and Joakim Noah.

(ESPN.com)

Should the Nets have agreed?

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