Billy King makes it official: Brook Lopez OUT for the year

It only seemed like a matter of time, but now it has become official. Brooklyn Nets GM Billy King announced today that the team's All-Star center Brook Lopez will miss the entire season due to his broken right foot.

Billy King says Brook Lopez is out for the season

— Stefan Bondy (@NYDNInterNets) December 22, 2013

Billy King said Brook Lopez is out for the year.

— Andy Vasquez (@andy_vasquez) December 22, 2013

Also from King:

Billy says he's disappointed for Brook as a person even more than his loss to the team.

— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) December 22, 2013

What's next?

Brook will see docs tomorrow out for year King says no moves imminent #Nets

— Mike Mazzeo (@MazzESPN) December 22, 2013

King said the #Nets have started the paperwork on the DPE. No rush to use it, though.

— Alex Raskin (@alexraskinNYC) December 22, 2013

So, there it is. Again, it was expected, but now it's official. King spoke as well about potential roster moves, saying that if the Nets saw an opportunity that would increase their luxury tax bill, they'd move on it. But he's not looking to make a big move.

King said luxury tax bill won't preclude #Nets from making a trade if they feel it's right. Said he already had been talking to a few anyway

— Rod Boone (@rodboone) December 22, 2013

Billy King: "Brook was a big part of it, but we do have depth so we're going to saddle up and ask some of the guys to do more." #SaddleUp

— Andy Vasquez (@andy_vasquez) December 22, 2013

Billy King: "There's no eminent move, we're not looking to make any eminent movement trade wise. We've got 14 other guys who can step up."

— Rod Boone (@rodboone) December 22, 2013

The Nets must apply for the DPE by January 15, then the league will examine Lopez and review medical records  If it's determined the Nets qualify, the NBA will grant them a DPE equal to an MLE ($5.15 million) which can be used before the deadline to trade for a player with an expiring contract or before March 15 or sign a free agent to a contract no longer than one year. The DPE can be used on one player and cannot be combined with a player in a trade. The Nets cannot add a 16th player but would have to make a roster move.

FWIW, I'm told it's "highly doubtful" the Nets would use Disabled Player Exception if NBA grants it.

— Howard Beck (@HowardBeck) December 22, 2013

Also -- and I've just reconfirmed this -- Nets would have to make roster room to use DPE. Can't add 16th player.

— Howard Beck (@HowardBeck) December 22, 2013

So, the Nets are unlikely to use the DPE because of the enormous cost in terms of luxury taxes and are likely to wait and see how the remaining 14 players -- and Jason Kidd-- rise to the occasion.

Does Billy King --or ownership-- regret their all-in strategy?

“Not at this point,” King said. “We’re not there.”

• Nets disappointed by Lopez injury but won't panic - AP
• Nets not planning any trades to replace Brook Lopez, according to GM Billy King - Stefan Bondy - New York Daily News
• Nets prepare to move on without Brook Lopez - Rod Boone - Newsday
  
• Win-Now Nets May Need to Cut Losses - Harvey Araton - New York Times
• Things go from bad to worse for Nets - Tim Bontemps - New York Post
• Brooklyn Nets not mulling trade options after losing Brook Lopez - Mike Mazzeo - ESPN New York
  
• Making sense of Brooklyn - Mike Mazzeo - ESPN New York
• So What Do the Nets Do Now?- Alex Raskin - Wall Street Journal
• Not Even the Knicks and Nets Can Sink in the Atlantic - Michael Salfino - Wall Street Journal
  
• Billy King talks Brook Lopez injury (Twitter Story) - Devin Kharpertian - The Brooklyn Game
• Nets in no rush to make move following Brook Lopez injury - Todd Haislop - The Sporting News