While beat writers noticed a buoyant Brook Lopez moving without the aid of a walking boot today, talk quickly returned to contingency plans in the absence of the All-Star center.
If Lopez misses the opener with a foot sprain, Lionel Hollins expects to shift Kevin Garnett to the center spot, and insert Mirza Teletovic into the lineup as the starting power forward. On nights when Garnett cannot suit up, the team believes Mason Plumlee can manage as the starting center after starting 22 games at the position last year.
Despite Lopez’s setback, GM Billy King seemed optimistic about the team’s depth entering the season. King said the team is prepared to deal with the loss of Lopez thanks to the continued development of players like Teletovic and Plumlee.
When asked about the starting five, Coach Hollins expressed “no desire to change anything right now.” A sign that Bojan Bogdanovic likely earned the starting wing spot alongside 7-time All Star Joe Johnson.
The Nets season tips off in 12 days at Boston.
