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Nets coach Atkinson: We're 'absolutely not' trading Lopez

Steve Mitchell / USA TODAY Sports

With general manager Sean Marks in the driver's seat, the Brooklyn Nets have taken a sharp turn toward asset accumulation and long-term planning.

On draft day last week, the Nets agreed to trade forward Thaddeus Young, one of their lone good players, to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for the No. 20 draft pick, which they used to select Michigan guard Caris LeVert. It was the right move for the franchise, but it will make them objectively worse next season, and one has to feel for poor Brook Lopez. Beyond him, there may not be another player on the Nets roster who qualifies as being above average.

Though they'll be lousy with or without him, the Nets say they have no intention of moving Lopez before the start of the season.

"No. Absolutely not," head coach Kenny Atkinson told reporters Tuesday. "Have not talked about it."

After losing 150 games to foot injuries between 2011-2014, Lopez has enjoyed a nice run of health the last two seasons, playing in 72 and 73 games, respectively. He finished last season averaging 20.6 points, 7.8 rebounds, two assists, and 1.7 blocks, and the 21-61 Nets performed 10.1 points per 100 possessions better with him on the floor.

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