Brook Lopez had successful surgery Friday to fix the stress fracture in his fifth metatarsal (the long bone above the little toe) in his foot, the team announced.
What really matters to them is they expect him back in six to eight weeks, in mid to late February. Which is before the March 15 trading deadline. Which is about when the Orlando Magic will get around to trading Dwight Howard. Lopez is at the heart of the Nets package to try and get Howard (which has not wowed the Magic brass enough yet
Here is the official word from the doctor:
“A single screw was inserted into the bone to stabilize the fracture and speed up the healing process,” said Dr. O’Malley. “He was placed in a boot and will walk with the aid of crutches. Brook will begin his rehab in two weeks.”
Over at netsarescorching.com they did a great look a back at others who suffered this same injury and the result was that most bounced back fine a few months later. Pau Gasol had the surgery in 2006, Mike Bibby in 2002, Elton Brand way back in his Duke Days. Those guys and others never had issues with their foot again.
The question of how this impacts Lopez’s trade value are still out there, but at least it looks like the Nets will get to find out.
