NBA Rumors: Brooklyn Nets are the Favorites to Re-Sign Brook Lopez, Thaddeus Young

The Brooklyn Nets are the frontrunners to re-sign Brook Lopez and Thaddues Young. Both players have opted out of their contracts and will become unrestricted free agents on July 1.

NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski with Yahoo! Sports cited league sources who are claiming that general manager Billy King is determined to get Lopez and Young to stay in Brooklyn. Both players reportedly intend to re-sign.

Lopez, 27, will most likely seek a three-year, $60 million contract extension, the league sources revealed. The center played in 72 games this season and averaged 17.2 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.8 blocks.

Stefan Bondy with the New York Daily News reported:

"Brook Lopez has opted out of the final year of his contract and will become a free agent, the Daily News first reported Friday, with an early expectation that he'll re-sign with the Nets for big money...GM Billy King expressed confidence early Friday morning that he would strike a deal with Lopez."

Even though the Nets are the favorites to sign Lopez, Jason Kidd and the Milwaukee Bucks will reportedly attempt to sign the big man. Other teams who could potentially offer Lopez a deal include the New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers, Portland Trail Blazer and Phoenix Suns.

Young, 27, will seek a four-year, $48 million-plus contract, which the Nets will most likely agree to. Young averaged 14.1 points per game.

During draft night, the Nets traded Mason Plumlee and second-round draft pick, Pat Connaughton to the Blazers in exchange for first-round draft pick Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and veteran Steve Blake.

"I think Brook Lopez progressed and regained his form, and with him playing Mason's minutes, went down. I think (Plumlee) just couldn't get back into the rotation," King said. "Especially after we traded for Thaddeus because Lionel (Hollins) went smaller at times. With Brook and Mason on the floor together, it didn't work well. And I think the things we needed Mason to do, he just wasn't able to do them."

Teams are not allowed to negotiate contracts with free agents before July 1. Teams and free agents can sign deals starting on July 8.