Brook Lopez is expected to opt out of the final year of his contract and try free agency. If he does, conventional wisdom is that he will give up a chance to cash in big next summer when the salary cap will be inflated by the national TV rights deal. But in a series of tweets, Mike Mazzeo suggests that there's an alternative available to him and his agent, Arn Tellem, where he can get security ... and cash in a little later when there will be another bump in the cap.
Here's how...
Interesting: someone brought up possibility that Brook Lopez would be smart to take a two-year max deal with a third-year player option ...
— Mike Mazzeo (@MazzESPN) May 4, 2015
That would enable Lopez to be eligible for free agency in 2017-18, when cap numbers expected to spike to $108 million/$127 luxury tax.
— Mike Mazzeo (@MazzESPN) May 4, 2015
Also would protect Lopez in case he gets injured. Just speculation, but makes sense business-wise Nets?src=hash">#Nets
— Mike Mazzeo (@MazzESPN) May 4, 2015
The cap goes from $108/$127 in 2017-18 to a decrease of $100/$121 in 2018-19 so you'd be hitting at the high point.
— Mike Mazzeo (@MazzESPN) May 4, 2015
Lopez is likely to get big offers and although he went through this season without a significant foot injury, some teams may be wary of making a long-term commitment. This could solve that issue.