Lopez Has Max Offers From Charlotte and Portland

The Nets' urgency reached a peak on Wednesday afternoon, as two teams with cap space (the Bobcats and Blazers) prepared max offer sheets for restricted free agent Brook Lopez, according to Marc Stein. The Nets would match an offer sheet, but if Lopez signs one, he can't be used in a sign-and-trade deal for Dwight Howard.

Adrian Wojnarowski tweets that the Nets have guaranteed four years of a new deal for Lopez, and are discussing a fifth year. And apparently, they're still waiting on a decision from the Magic.

"To keep alive chances to get Howard, Billy King can't let Lopez sign sheet," Wojnarowski adds. "Nor can he let him walk if Nets don't get DH. Has to pay Lopez."

• Nets near deal with Brook Lopez, time running out for Dwight Howard trade - Adrian Wojnarowski - Yahoo! Sports
• Nets Balancing Lopez Future With Pursuit of Howard - Howard Beck - New York Times
• The race to sign ... Brook Lopez? - Ken Berger - CBS Sports
• Nets push for resolution to Dwight Howard trade talks - Sam Amick - SI.com