Brooklyn Nets Rumors: Brook Lopez to opt-out of contract?

Dec 20, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) during the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center. The Sixers defeated the Nets 121-120 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) during the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center. The Sixers defeated the Nets 121-120 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Brooklyn Nets are hoping that big man Brook Lopez can bounce back from his foot injury this season and become the player they need him to be, but Lopez is playing with incentive as well in 2014-15.

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According to Steve Kyler from Basketball Insiders,it’s highly likely that the Nets center opts out of his current deal and tries the open market in 2015.

"It is highly likely that Lopez opts-out of his existing deal, even with the chronic foot injuries he has endured. When healthy Lopez is one of the top centers in the game and with just one-year left on his deal he likely opts for the chance at a new payday and long-term security, even if that means re-upping in Brooklyn."

What Lopez needs to do in order to get the deal he wants is to put together a great season so that he can enter the 2015 free agency market with renewed value. At the moment, he’s selling himself on upside, and even that isn’t all so great at the moment thanks to his foot.

Lopez is an All-Star caliber center when he’s healthy, and that’s the player he needs to be in 2014-15 if he plans on opting out and testing free agency in 2015.

Be sure to check FanSided.com’s official NBA page to keep up to date on the latest news and rumors from around the league all summer long.