Scotto: Nets, Pelicans talking trade centered on Brook Lopez, Tyreke Evans and 2018 pick

Mike Scotto of Basketball Insiders tweets the first big rumor of the trade season...

Scott identified the pick as a a 2018 protected first-round pick.

How real is it? There are some reasons why it would work, but a lot more suggesting why it wouldn’t.

The Nets certainly could use a first round pick next year. Unlike this year when they will get the Celtics’s first round pick, they have no pick, first or second round, next year. (New Orleans has all its own picks through 2023, but no one else’s.)

Tyreke Evans, 27, is playing on an expiring contract worth a little more than $10 million. Problem is that he has been injury prone most of his career. He’s only played 24 games this year after playing only 25 last year. He’s had recurring ankle and knee issues. The 6’6” shooting guard hasn’t started a single game for the Pelicans this season and is averaging only 9.7 points in less than 18 minutes a game. He is currently on minutes restrictions with a sprained ankle.

As for Galloway and Frazier, both undersized point guards, neither is starting material. Galloway has come off the bench all season, not starting a single game. Frazier started 23 games, mostly at the beginning of the season when Jrue Holiday was out. He’s only played in seven of New Orleans last 20 games. Both are averaging a little less than nine points per game.

The two are under contract next year when presumably the Nets will have a healthy point guard contingent. Galloway has a $5.4 million player option in June. Frazier is owed $2 million. Lopez will make $22.6 million next season.

Moreover, this is a “listening” time for NBA GM’s, with teams talking about possible deals but few firm offers being circulated. That’s particularly with big, complicated deals like this one. That changes next week.

The rumored trade would be a much better deal for New Orleans who is searching for a big man to pair with Anthony Davis. In addition to Lopez, the Pelicans are reportedly talking to Philadelphia about Jahlil Okafor.

• Brook Lopez Headlines Pelicans and Nets Trade Talks - Michael Scotto - Basketball Insiders