Brooklyn Nets speaking to their own free agents after Dwight Howard trade talks slow down – NBA News
With talks for a possible trade with the Orlando Magic All Star Center Dwight Howard still far from agreement, the Brooklyn Nets have now focused their attention on their own free agents in an attempt to have some interior presence
next season.
After working so hard in the free agency, the last thing Nets would want is to lose out on their own bigs if the Dwight Howard talks break – something that will leave a huge hole in their line up.
The Nets have reportedly started discussion with the representatives of their own free agents, Brook Lopez and Kris Humphries.
Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports has reported:
“The Nets have been engaged with Lopez’s representatives on a maximum contract extension, and if they feel like the possibility of acquiring Howard is slipping away, they’ll likely move to complete a deal with the restricted free
agent in the next few days.”
Lopez is a scoring centre who had a good last season with the Nets. He averaged 19.2 points a game, but his rebounding average dropped to 3.6 as compared to 8.6 in the 2009-2010 season. Lopez had an impressive field goal average
of 49.4%, but his defence needs some improvement.
The Nets have also started negotiations with forward Kris Humphries over a new contract. Humphries averaged 13.8 points and 11 rebounds per game this past season with the Nets.
Deron Williams said before team U.S.A practice Tuesday in Las Vegas that he was happy with the Nets roster as it was, provided the management brings back Lopez. In the absence of Howard, the Nets will have to rely upon both Lopez
and Humphries to get the job done on the defensive end and in the low post. And both players are good scorers with Humphries having rebounding abilities as well.
It is unclear what contracts the two players are expecting and what the Nets are offering them, but as the drama over the trade of Dwight Howard continues with no end in sight, the Nets need to cover their bases for the next season.
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