CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Brook Lopez is no fool. The Nets center knows being the biggest trade chip on a losing team deep in rebuild mode could mean getting dealt away. And, like it is seemingly every February, Lopez’s name is linked with trade rumors.
But Lopez insists that despite this being a different situation and a new regime, he said he trusts them to tell him if anything were imminent. And he says that’s a conversation that hasn’t happened.
“I’ve talked to [my agent]. But it’s something I’m used to by now. It wouldn’t be comfortable without it,’’ Lopez said with gallows humor as the Nets prepared to play the Hornets on Tuesday at Spectrum Center. “I haven’t heard anything. I’m all right. If it were pressing or something was happening, I’d be aware.
“Yeah, I realize there’s a possibility of both things. I’ve said what I’d prefer. They’re going to make their decision, but I would hope that I’d be informed, and I have the confidence they would inform me if they were thinking [of doing] something or something was going down.”
Yahoo Sports reported on Monday that New Orleans had spoken with the Nets about acquiring Lopez, though that move seems unlikely at this point. General manager Sean Marks isn’t actively shopping Lopez, but admits all options are on the table. The Post, ESPN and Yahoo have all reported it could take a pair of first-round picks to tempt the Nets into moving their star center.
“You never know what’s going to happen, nothing’s for certain,’’ Lopez said. “I’ve consistently said I want to see nothing but good things here and I’d love to be a part of that. It’s the one team I’ve played for, the one team I’ve known. I want to see great things happen here and I’d love to be a part of that foundation and that growth. … That said, obviously I only can control what I can control: There are other variables out there.”
Variables like the Nets being an NBA-worst 9-42 entering Tuesday and likely years away from contention. Variables like the fact Lopez will turn 29 this season, has had foot surgeries and may be past his prime by the time any rebuild is complete — a rebuild that would be accelerated if he’s traded.
Those kind of variables have Marks listening, if not shopping.
“That’s every organization. If you’re not trying to improve, that’s part of the business. So, I get that,’’ coach Kenny Atkinson said. “If you asked 30 GMs, they’d all say the same thing: That’s part of their job, to listen. You’re looking every day. How can we improve this team? So I do get that. I do get what Sean’s saying there.”
Still, Atkinson said he hasn’t addressed trade rumors with Lopez — or any other player — and doesn’t plan to.
“Basically, policy is don’t address rumors. Keep it clean. It’s just our policy. We’re going to stick to it,’’ Atkinson said. “My job is to prepare this team for tonight. I just don’t address it.
“I don’t see [the reports]. You guys tell me. I’m blacked-out. It’s not a part of my mindset. My job is to help Brook play as well as he can tonight and the next night. It’s kind of a simple mentality. But it’s part of being in the NBA, rumors. You open up a can of worms if you start talking to players about it.”
Lopez claims to be just as oblivious.
“It’s always been a lot of different situations every year. At this point, it doesn’t make a difference to me. I’m used to the same situation, and I’ve always been good at ignoring that stuff,’’ said Lopez. “It’s not [tough]. I don’t pay attention or read any stuff like that. I have one friend who texts me from time to time and says I’m going here or there, but other than that. … I’m completely oblivious and ignorant.
“[My friend] is batting zero.”
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