The Associated Press reports (link via The New York Post) that the New Jersey Nets have shut down center Brook Lopez for the remainder of the 2011/12 season.
Lopez, 24, is set to become a restricted free agent at the end of the season, and figures to be one of the most attractive free-agent big men on the market. Because of this, general manager Billy King has decided it is not worth the risk to play the injury-plagued Lopez in the final 10 games of the season.
Lopez missed the majority of the season with a broken foot and only appeared in five games before spraining his right ankle. He was averaging 19.2 PPG and 3.6 RPG.