Nets center Brook Lopez opted out of the final year of his contract and will become a free agent.
Coming off a strong season in his return from injury, Lopez chose on Friday to bypass the $16.7 million he would have earned next season. He will be able to talk to other teams July 1.
Nets General Manager Billy King said this week that he expected the decision, and he had said repeatedly that he hoped to re-sign Lopez, a 7-footer. King said he had been encouraged because Lopez was working out at the Nets’ practice complex.