Denver Nuggets still interested in Nets center Brook Lopez
By Andrew Dill
The Denver Nuggets have shipped away two players in the past two weeks, Timofey Mozgov to the Cavaliers and Nate Robinson to the Celtics who eventually was bought out by the team. Now Denver is focusing on a center in the Eastern Conference, Brook Lopez. Denver reportedly made an offer to the Nets over the past week involving JaVale McGee – potentially swapping center for center.
Brooklyn obviously declined the offer, but Denver is still trying to make a push for the big man. Both Lopez and McGee have had the same problem over the past few seasons, they can’t seem to stay healthy. I would love the acquisition of Lopez, but if it means him missing most of the season, count me out. Us Nuggets fans/followers are tired of the constant injury prone seasons that drag Denver towards the bottom of the cellar.
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Lopez, 26, has appeared in 33 games this season for the Brooklyn Nets. The big man is averaging 14.8 points per game on 50.3% shooting, adding 6.0 rebounds and 1.6 blocks to his credit. He currently possesses a PER (Player Efficiency Rating) of 19.59 which would be first on the Nuggets roster. Talk about an upgrade. Ty Lawson leads the Nuggets in that department with a PER of 18.7.
Brooklyn also reportedly declined Oklahoma City’s offer of Kendrick Perkins, Jeremy Lamb, and Grant Jerrett, according to Chris Dempsey of The Denver Post. Denver has lacked a center that can score inside and finish with the trees. Acquiring Lopez would be a risk-reward type of deal, but you would have to like the upside.
If the Nuggets were to add JaVale into such a trade, Brooklyn would likely ask for a first-round pick as well. McGee’s contract is set to expire next season, so Brooklyn would like something in turn. Denver recently acquired two first-round picks for Timofey Mozgov, which was a huge steal. Denver could then possibly flip one of those for Lopez if they choose.
All-in-all, acquiring Lopez would be a big addition for the Nuggets moving forward, but it does have a risk given his injury history.