The Brooklyn Nets and the Oklahoma City Thunder are in talks about a potential trade involving centers Brook Lopez and Kendrick Perkins, USA Today reported.

Sources indicated that the Thunder are making a strong push to acquire Lopez in the hope of keeping in step with Western Conference contenders, who recently made moves to improve their roster.

The Dallas Mavericks improved their title chances this season with the acquisition of Rajon Rondo in a trade with the Boston Celtics, while the Memphis Grizzlies got Jeff Green from Boston. The Houston Rockets also bolstered their roster, getting Josh Smith via free agency and Corey Brewer in a trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Nets are reportedly aggressively shopping Lopez, and the Thunder are the most aggressive suitors. The Thunder are planning to send Perkins in exchange for Lopez, but the Nets want great value in return as they are determined to remain a playoff team this season.

Reports on Thursday night indicated that the Charlotte Hornets are also involved in the discussion. If the three team strike a deal, the Thunder will get Lopez, the Nets will acquire Lance Stephenson, while the Hornets will receive Jeremy Lamb from the Oklahoma City and Jarrett Jack from Brooklyn.

However, Chris Broussard of ESPN reported on Friday morning that the Hornets are now out of the discussion because the Nets are not interested in acquiring Stephenson, who signed a three-year deal worth $27 million with the Hornets in the offseason.

Stephenson was initially viewed as a player who could help the Hornets improve their playoff chances this season, but the former Indiana Pacers guard has been struggling to fit in with Charlotte's system, which focuses on Kemba Walker and Al Jefferson.

The Nets ownership group is reportedly in favor of acquiring Stephenson, a Brooklyn native, but their front office executives are reluctant to acquire the volatile guard, who is averaging just 10.1 points to go along with 6.6 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game this season.

Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports also revealed that the Thunder could acquire Lopez in exchange for Perkins and Lamb. Perkins, who is averaging 4.1 points and 5.8 rebounds this season, is playing in the final year of his contract.

For the latest sports news, follow Latin Post Sports on Twitter.

FOR MORE NBA UPDATES, TRADE AND FREE AGENCY NEWS, CLICK ON THIS LINK TO VISIT LATIN POST.COM'S SPORTS PAGE.

Related