Brook Lopez began last season playing at an All-Star level for the Nets, averaging 20.7 points, six rebounds and 1.8 blocked shots in 31.4 minutes per game.
But he only managed to make it through 17 appearances, before suffering a foot fracture that prematurely ended his season.
The good news is that Lopez has fully recovered, and has received clearance to resume basketball activities with training camp still two months out.
From Mike Mazzeo of ESPN New York:Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez, who has been rehabbing after undergoing foot and ankle surgery, told reporters in Russia that he has been “fully cleared for play.”
“I was fully cleared for play and everything about a week and a half ago now,” said Lopez, who is visiting the country with his twin brother, Portland Trail Blazers center Robin Lopez. "... Now it’s time to get back in shape.”
It’ll be interesting to see if the latest iteration of the Nets under new head coach Lionel Hollins will choose to feature Lopez as much offensively, considering the fact that Brooklyn ended up playing much better as the season went on while Lopez was out.
The Nets were just 7-10 in games Lopez played last year, though some of that could be related to so many new pieces being in place on the roster, all of which were being guided by a rookie head coach in Jason Kidd, who took a few months to find his way. Even so, it’s hard to view Lopez being back healthy again as anything but a positive for Brooklyn’s chances of improving next season.