The Nets have until next Wednesday to offer Brook Lopez an extension on his rookie contract, but Billy King confirmed earlier reports that he will probably wait until the summer to talk big numbers with Lopez's agent, Arn Tellem. One reason is Lopez's foot injury but left unspoken was the team's desire to preserve cap space for their pursuit of Dwight Howard.
King didn't rule out the possibility entirely. "I’m sure I’ll have a conversation with (Lopez’s agent) Arn Tellem," King said. "But I don’t know if we’ll do anything with him at this time. I think you’ve got to wait. Injury-wise, we know he’s going to come back from that, but ... they may throw a number at you that makes sense." If the Nets don't extend Lopez, he will become a restricted free agent on July 1.
In discussing other personnel moves, King said the Nets had told Jordan Williams his assignment to Springfield shouldn't be seen as a demotion. "It's a chance for you to play," King said he told Williams.
- Nets' Brook Lopez could end up a free agent this summer - Colin Stephenson - Star-Ledger
- Nets notes: No talks for Brook Lopez extension - Andy Vasquez
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Nets GM says extension unlikely for Lopez - Tim Bontemps - New York Post Nets Blog
- Highlights from King's State of the Union - Mike Mazzeo - ESPN New York
- GM: Brook Lopez extension unlikely - - Mike Mazzeo - ESPN New York