Brook Lopez Opts Out of Final Year, Becomes Free Agent

Photo Credit: Jesse D. Garrabrant – Getty Images

Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez has opted out of the final year in his contract. The deal was set to pay him $16.7 million dollars had he opted into the final year.

Lopez is an unrestricted free agent which means that the Nets can not match an offer sheet, bringing him back to Brooklyn.

Lopez has been battling injuries the last few years, but has recuperated a bit this past season, playing in 77 games. Though starting in just 44 of them, he put together a solid stat line, averaging 17.2 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game. He played just 29 minutes per game, as youngster Mason Plumlee, who was recently dealt to Portland, stole multiple starts and playing time.

Possible suitors for the 27-year-old center are the Milwaukee Bucks, Oklahoma City Thunder, and the front runners being the team that Lopez has spent his entire seven season career with, the Brooklyn Nets. The Boston Celtics might arise as a possible wild card team to sign the 2013 All-Star, as they are in need of an upgraded frontcourt.

Oklahoma City was very interested in trading for Lopez until they acquired Enes Kanter from the Utah Jazz, now making it highly unlikely for the two sides to agree on a deal. Milwaukee is in the hunt for Lopez and fellow free agent big man DeAndre Jordan, but the relationship between Bucks coach Jason Kidd and Lopez isn’t exactly great.

All in all, I think we will see Brook Lopez back in Barclays Arena with the Nets in the distant future.