After the Oklahoma City Thunder learned center Steven Adams would miss the next three weeks (at minimum) after undergoing surgery on his broken hand, the rumor mill began to churn.
Last month, the Thunder engaged in Brook Lopez trade discussions with the Brooklyn Nets, though that deal fell through. There was a looming assumption that the two sides would revisit the talks once the February trade deadline approached and Marc Stein of ESPN seems to believe the Thunder and Nets rekindling a Brook Lopez trade could be possible.
Twice in the last three weeks, Brook Lopez has assembled a game with at least 20 points and six blocks off the bench. Makes you wonder, in the wake of the Steven Adams news, whether the Thunder will revisit their interest in Lopez with the league’s annual trade deadline just 10 days away.
A Brook Lopez trade makes all sorts of sense for the Thunder as he not only fills a need, but isn’t a financial burden when the organization attempts to re-sign both Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook as his contract expires after next season.
The biggest hold up in any Brook Lopez trade discussions appears to be the Nets not getting what they deem to be enough value in return for their center, though given his elevated price tag and injury history they’re clearly demanding too much.
