EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Following Monday’s Nets draft workout, a few current players took the team’s practice court for various drills: rookies Cory Jefferson, Markel Brown, and Xavier Thames, as well as second-year center Mason Plumlee.
Also joining them: Nets veteran center Brook Lopez, who worked on his jump shot out to well beyond three-point range.[note]By my incomplete count, Lopez hit 59 of 105 three-pointers, though he was clearly fatigued as he kept shooting and took some shots further out than others.[/note]
It’s not the first time Lopez has worked out at the Nets facility since the season ended, but he’s the highest-profile player that’s been seen there since the team said goodbye following its first-round loss to the Atlanta Hawks.
Lopez has until June 30th to opt out of his deal with the Nets, a move he’s expected to make. He could then choose to re-up with the Nets or see what offers he has on the free agent market. Nets general manager Billy King has made it clear that re-signing Lopez is his top priority, adding that he’s comfortable going into the luxury tax if it means retaining Lopez and fellow frontcourt mate Thaddeus Young.
It could mean nothing, of course. But Lopez was in midseason form: shooting around, chatting with Lionel Hollins, and doing it all wearing a Brooklyn Nets t-shirt.
Notes:
- The Nets worked out UConn guard Ryan Boatright, Arizona guard T.J. McConnell, Rutgers forward Kadeem Jack[note]Jack was a late addition to replace D.J. Newbill.[/note], St. John’s forward Sir’Dominic Pointer, Wyoming forward Larry Nance Jr., and Arizona forward Brandon Ashley. Nets director of player personnel Gregg Polinsky called the workout “very competitive,” citing Boatright and McConnell specifically.
- The Nets pick 29th and 41st in the upcoming draft, but Polinsky said the team still scouts players from the very top of the draft the same way they would in any draft. The Nets have made numerous draft-day trades in recent years, and last season acquired three second-round picks on draft night. “We go about it the same way because many things can happen under Billy King’s watch,” Polinsky said.
