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Marc Stein writes Friday night that the Nuggets latest offer for Brook Lopez is underwhelming to the Nets front office particularly after Lopez's performance vs. the Raptors.
Tonight's Brook Lopez performance helps explain why Nets, even though they've seriously discussed trading him, feel they can't give him away
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) January 31, 2015
Denver, I'm told, has been pushing an offer of J.J. Hickson/JaVale McGee for B-Lopez. Nets have so far been firm in their refusal to take it
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) January 31, 2015
Chris Mannix also writes Denver doesn't want to give up any of its major assets for Lopez.
Speaking of the Nuggets, they remain in pursuit of Nets center Brook Lopez. The centerpiece of Denver’s package is JaVale McGee, though the Nuggets have balked at including any core players -- a group that includes Ty Lawson, Kenneth Faried, Jusuf Nurkic and Wilson Chandler -- in any deal
Neither McGee, who has one of the NBA's worst contracts, nor Hickson are among Denver's crucial pieces. McGee has played 20 games the last two seasons, just returned from his latest injury and is owed $23.3 million over two, including this season. Hickson, who's a few months younger than Lopez, is averaging 8.3 points and 6.6 rebounds in 20 minutes this season. He's owed $11 million over two.
In previous reports, the Nuggets were reportedly willing to include one of the two draft picks they received in the Timofey Mozgov trade with Cleveland and a young player, reportedly 20-year-old rookie Gary Harris. Other teams who've reportedly been interested in the 26-year-old seven-footer include Oklahoma City, Charlotte and Houston.
- Open Floor: Thunder still struggling as Durant's exit looms in background - Chris Mannix - Sports Illustrated
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Report: Nuggets offered JaVale McGee, J.J. Hickson for Brook Lopez - Devin Kharpertian - The Brooklyn Game