If the NBA trade rumors are true, we are about to have a three-team deal go down that could give a fresh start to Lance Stephenson and Brook Lopez, while giving the Oklahoma City Thunder another scoring option and the Brooklyn Nets an eventual new go-to scorer. If the Nets are successful in blowing up their roster by trading Deron Williams and Joe Johnson, acquiring native son Stephenson may end up being a good deal for the team. Of course, the Charlotte Hornets thought that they had a good thing when they signed Stephenson this past offseason, but that apparently is not the case.
If Lopez heads from the Nets to the Thunder, it would finally give the team a scoring option in the paint. No offense to the likes of Kendrick Perkins or any other clog in the middle of the floor for the Thunder, but Lopez would certainly be an offensive upgrade in the explosive Western Conference. He has definitely been injury prone throughout his career but, with only one year remaining on his contract after this season, it is a move worth the risk.
Finally, the Hornets are rumored to receive Jarrett Jack, Jeremy Lamb and Grant Jerrett. Perkins may also head to Brooklyn along with Stephenson, and future draft picks may also be included to make the deal work. Other players could also be involved to help balance out the trade from a financial aspect.
Only time will tell whether or not this trade will become finalized, as well as which team will benefit the most going forward. Could it be the Thunder, who will add some punch to its offense? Or the Nets, if they can get Stephenson to put aside his immaturity and grow up in the city in which he was raised? Or the Hornets, for simply ridding themselves of a contract that was just not going to work.
Either way, it’s always nice to see this much action with over a month to go before the 2015 NBA Trade Deadline.
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