Lopez’s career once looked like it could be destined for an early end after nagging foot injuries nearly wiped out his entire 2011-12 and 2013-14 campaigns, but those health concerns have mostly faded with the center suiting up for 70-plus games in each of the past three seasons. Unfortunately for the Nets, having Lopez available hasn’t mattered much, as the team finished with under 40 wins in each of those seasons. Though the Nets had fully embraced a rebuild heading into 2016-17, Lopez ultimately stayed put once the trade deadline passed and saw his playing time fall below the 30-minute-per-game mark for the season, as the team often had little incentive to overexert their historically injury-prone star. Despite the drop in minutes, Lopez still averaged 20-plus points per game for the fourth time in his career, and his scoring was much more diversified than it had been in the past. After attempting just 31 three-pointers in his prior seven NBA seasons, Lopez made a concerted effort last summer to add more range to his offensive arsenal and put that into practice in games. He ended up knocking down 1.8 treys per game at a 34.6 percent clip, a respectable mark for a player who had previously displayed little aptitude from beyond the arc. While adding the three ball to his repertoire enhanced Lopez’s Fantasy portfolio, it didn’t necessarily elevate his overall value, as his mark from the field dipped to a career-worst 47.4 percent. Playing away from the basket also hurt Lopez’s impact on the offensive glass, which was never an area of strength to begin with. He would finish the season with just 1.6 offensive rebounds and 5.4 total boards per game, decidedly lackluster marks for a seven footer. Since Lopez was owed more than $22 million in 2017-18, the Nets were eager to get something of value for him ahead of what’s likely another non-contending season, and ultimately found a willing trade partner in the Lakers, who acquired him in June in a four-player deal. Though the Lakers are in the midst of a similar rebuild to Brooklyn’s, Lopez will at least have the luxury of playing alongside a superior supporting cast, with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Jordan Clarkson, Lonzo Ball, Julius Randle and Brandon Ingram all capable of easing the scoring burden. The talented nucleus surrounding him may result in Lopez sacrificing some shot attempts, which could bump him down a tier among Fantasy centers since his value is largely driven by scoring and 3-point production.
Lopez has been the lone, steady constant through what's already been a difficult rebuilding stretch for the Nets organization. One of only two players who was on the roster two years ago (Bojan Bogdanovic is the other), Lopez is coming off of arguably his best all-around season, in which he averaged 20.6 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.7 blocks and shot 51.1 percent from the floor. Lopez has had more efficient seasons, but the rebounding and assist numbers were his best in six years. While the Nets made a number of offseason additions, there's no question that Lopez, now two years removed from a serious foot injury, is still the team's best player and top offensive threat. The loss of frontcourt partner Thaddeus Young might hurt, but Lopez should see more scoring opportunities than ever before. Lopez's rebounding numbers have always left plenty to be desired, but he makes up for it with efficient free-throw shooting, a relative rarity among true seven-footers, to go with above-average blocks and steals production. Last season, Lopez was also one of only four players to average at least 2.0 assists and 1.5 blocks per game, joining Paul Millsap, Pau Gasol and Andrew Bogut. He'll remain one of the top fantasy picks at his position.
Lopez agreed to a three-year, $60 million with the Nets this offseason. He'll continue to plug up the paint on defense and work everywhere within the arc again this season. While Lopez has the distinction of being a scary player to draft because of his potential injury risk, there's reason to be optimistic about his health and production going forward. Other than the two seasons that Lopez was sidelined due to foot surgery, he's been relatively durable. He played in all 82 games in his first three seasons in the league, and in his other two non-injury seasons, he played in 74 and 72 games. Missing 8-10 games isn't ideal, but the fact that Lopez has played, essentially, two healthy seasons following the repair of his broken feet is promising in some respects. He played in 72 games last season but only started 44 of them. In those 44 starts, Lopez averaged 18.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 0.7 steals, and 1.8 blocks in 32 minutes per game while shooting 54 percent from the field and 80 percent from the line. If he's healthy, Lopez could end up being a good value in drafts this season.
For the second time in three years, Lopez's season was cut short by an injury. Seventeen games into the 2013-14 campaign, he went down with broken foot that cost him the remainder of the season. Just two years prior, Lopez suffered a stress fracture and missed 77 games. While the 26-year-old's durability is a huge concern at this point, he's been among the league's most productive big men when healthy. Prior to the injury last season, Lopez was averaging 20.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game while shooting 56 percent from the field and a career-best 82 percent at the free-throw line. While his rebounding numbers have been the subject of scrutiny throughout his career, Lopez's efficiency on the offensive end compensates for the deficit. He's arguably the top offensive center in the league and is one of only a handful of players with a complete low-post, back-to-the-basket game. Again, health will be the factor that dictates his value, but if Lopez can avoid another devastating injury, he'll be one of the most productive fantasy centers in nearly any format.
After losing nearly the entire 2011-12 season to injury, there were plenty of question marks surrounding Lopez heading into last season. Not only was Lopez able to return and stay healthy last year, but he was able to revert back to his pre-injury productive ways. Lopez re-established himself as the Nets' primary option in the post, pouring in 19.4 points per game while shooting a very efficient 52 from the field and 76 percent from the free-throw line. He also showed improvements on the defensive end of the court, blocking a career-high 2.1 shots per tilt. While his rebounding didn't return to the levels we saw in his first two seasons, Lopez was able to post respectable numbers on the glass by pulling down 6.9 boards each night. One note of concern, though, is that Lopez needed a screw replaced in his surgically repaired foot this offseason. Early indication is he'll be ready for the start of the season, but prospective owners should double-check his status before draft day. He's one of the most gifted offensive big men in the game, and the Nets figure to use him as the primary option on the block again this season. As long as his foot injury doesn't resurface during the season, Lopez will be a solid source of all-around production.
The 2011-12 season was lost for Lopez, who suffered a stress fracture of the fifth metatarsal in his right foot during preseason play. He came back briefly from the injury in February, appearing in five games before suffering an ankle injury that led to him being shut down for the remainder of the season. In his five-game stint, Lopez showed some of the offensive promise we’ve seen from him in the past, including a 38-point outburst against the Mavericks on Feb. 28. He ended his brief campaign with averages of 19.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 0.8 blocks in 27 minutes per game. It’s difficult to take much away from five games, but it is troublesome that Lopez’s rebounding dropped from an already pedestrian 6.0 in 2010-11 to 3.6 boards per night. All signs point to Lopez being healthy for the start of the season, which would be a huge first step in his progress back toward helping out fantasy squads. The Nets overhauled their roster this offseason, including the trade for Joe Johnson, so it’ll be interesting to see where Lopez fits in the pecking order for touches on offense. That said, the team did commit $61-million to Lopez this summer, and Brooklyn doesn’t have much depth in the frontcourt, which should lead to plenty of opportunities in the low post for the Stanford product.
Lopez continued to show signs that he’s developing into one of the best low-post presences in the league during the 2010-11 season. He finished his third year with a career-high 20.4 scoring average while hitting 49.2 percent of his shots from the floor and 78.7 from the charity stripe. He also remained productive on the defensive side of the ball, swatting 1.5 shots per game. But Lopez regressed in rebounding. After averaging 8.1 or more boards in each of his first two seasons, Lopez only pulled down 6.0 rebounds per night last year, which is inexcusable for a seven-footer with his skills. Lopez underwent offseason surgery to remove a calcium deposit in his right upper arm, but he’s expected to be back to full strength this season. He hasn’t missed a game throughout his professional career, and this injury isn’t expected to linger, so owners shouldn’t be too worried about Lopez’s health going forward. With Deron Williams now running the show in New Jersey, Lopez has one of the better floor generals in the league. Assuming Nets coach Avery Johnson can solve the mystery of Lopez’s vanishing rebounding skills, and with Williams helping push the young big man to another level offensively, Lopez should continue maturing into an All-Star-caliber pivot.
Lopez followed up his impressive rookie campaign with an even better sophomore season last year, and he enters 2010-11 as a truly elite fantasy player. He averaged the most points per game (18.8) among all centers in the NBA, and it's hard to fault any part of his game. For someone 7-0, 265, he could improve on the boards (he averaged 8.7 rpg last season), but he's a decent passer, blocks shots, and only Dwight Howard and Nene Hilario averaged more steals per game among centers than Lopez (0.7 spg) last year. The big key to Lopez's fantasy value is his excellent free throw shooting, as he shot 81.7 percent from the line last season while attempting 6.2 freebies per game. It's an area where almost all other bigs in the NBA struggle mightily, so this is a huge advantage. At age 22, Lopez will continue to get better, and he's yet to miss a single game so far since joining the NBA. He'll enter 2010-11 as quite possibly the most important player on the Nets' roster.
Lopez entered his rookie campaign with little fantasy hype, but ended up the highest-ranking freshman. The seven-footer played all 82 games for the Nets, starting at center for 75 of those contests. He led all rookies in blocks (1.8) and field-goal percentage (53.1) while finishing second in rebounds (8.1) and sixth in points (13.0). He also shot 79.3 percent from the free throw line, a rarity from a seven-foot rookie. The Nets are in full-fledged rebuilding mode, shipping Vince Carter out of town in the offseason and leaving the duo of Lopez and point guard Devin Harris as the two centerpieces of the franchise. Last season, Lopez only attempted 10.3 field goals per game while the Nets ran few post-up sets. While Harris will continue to run the show, Lopez will camp out on the block, and as the Nets’ only legitimate scorer in the post, he should hear his number called more often. While possessing several polished post moves, Lopez still lacks a go-to move and often relies on a jump hook that is unrefined. But at 21, he’s young and will continue to develop his offensive repertoire. And even if his offensive game develops slowly, Lopez will continue to rebound, post solid percentages and block shots at a clip that places him in the upper-echelon of centers.
Lopez has a very nice drop-step from the right block as he showed in the NCAA tournament, but he is very awkward when defenses try to take away that move. He struggles with connecting counter-moves, but he can step out and hit the 8 to 10-foot jumper as well. He has a strong base and a great frame to build on, but he has clumsy hands and many times allows rebounds to slip through his fingers. He's not an active defender and doesn't rebound very well outside his area. Boone is a much more rugged player and should limit Lopez's minutes against bigger front lines.
Lopez has a very nice drop-step from the right block as he showed in the NCAA tournament, but he is very awkward when defenses try to take away that move. He struggles with connecting counter-moves, but he can step out and hit the 8 to 10-foot jumper as well. He has a strong base and a great frame to build on, but he has clumsy hands and many times allows rebounds to slip through his fingers. He's not an active defender and doesn't rebound very well outside his area. Boone is a much more rugged player and should limit Lopez's minutes against bigger front lines.
