Brook Lopez Injury: Nets Center Expected To Make Season Debut Sunday

Read More: Dwight Howard (C - ORL), Brook Lopez (C - NJN), New Jersey Nets

New Jersey Nets center Brook Lopez did not play Saturday night against the Chicago Bulls as expected, but will make his season debut against the Milwaukee Bucks at the Prudential Center on Sunday, the team announced. Lopez is expected to start the game.

Lopez will then sit out Monday night when the Nets take on the New York Knicks, according to coach Avery Johnson. Lopez would then be back in the lineup against the Orlando Magic on Wednesday.

Rumors have swirled that Lopez's return could signal his place as the potential centerpiece for any trade involving the Orlando Magic's Dwight Howard, making Wednesday's game a possible audition for a new home.

Lopez suffered a stress fracture in his foot in the NBA preseason and was originally slated to miss six to eight weeks with the injury.

Lopez is in the final year of his rookie contract, making $3.1 million this season. He will be a restricted free agent at the end of the 2011-12 season.

For more on Lopez and and the Nets, be sure to visit the SB Nation blog NetsDaily.