UPDATE: The deal is dead as the Nets have decided to “stand pat,” for now.
The Brooklyn Nets are working on a trade package with the Oklahoma City Thunder that would function mostly as a salary dump for the Nets, according to recent reports from Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports and Chris Broussard of ESPN.
Nets unwillingness on Lance Stephenson has Brooklyn focused on dealing directly with Thunder for Brook Lopez, league sources tell Yahoo.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) January 16, 2015
Sources: Nets still talking with OKC about possibly sending Brook Lopez there in what will amount to virtually salary dump.
— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) January 16, 2015
Sources: main piece Nets would get is Kendrick Perkins in trade for Lopez. Talks ongoing….
— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) January 16, 2015
The two sides are “still talking,” one source told The Brooklyn Game.
The Nets had reportedly looked at a three-team deal that would’ve netted them Lance Stephenson, but decided to pass on Stephenson after gathering intel. Stephenson has struggled to fit into Charlotte’s culture and offense after thriving with the Indiana Pacers last season.
Lopez has come off the bench since returning to the Nets following a lower back strain, averaging 12.8 points and 6.5 rebounds in 21.7 minutes per game over the 13 games (4 starts) since his return. The Nets have also reportedly fielded interest from the Denver Nuggets, Miami Heat, and Los Angeles Lakers, and want to complete a trade for Lopez by the weekend.
