Luis Scola (NBA.com)

The Brooklyn Nets (9-49) may be on a 16-game losing streak on the court, but on Monday they suffered yet another loss off of it.

The team decided to part ways with veteran forward Luis Scola.  Scola, 36, was the oldest player on the team.  He signed a one-year, $5 million deal with the Nets over the summer.  It is not clear whether or not Scola was bought out from his contract, or simply released.

Scola appeared in just 36 games with the Nets, averaging 5.1 points and 3.9 rebounds.  He played sparingly over the last month, but was a locker room leader and well-respected teammate, intangibles money can’t buy.  His presence will not go unnoticed with the young players on Brooklyn’s roster.

“We appreciate everything Luis has done for our team this year. His approach and dedication to the game will continue to serve as lasting models for our young players,’’ general manager Sean Marks said in a statement. “While we would have loved for Luis to be with us for the remainder of the season, we felt he deserved the opportunity to contribute to a playoff contender.”

A classy move by Marks.  It allows Scola to chase a championship with a contending team.  Teams have until March 1. to finalize their rosters for the postseason.

It also gives the Nets an open roster spot to sign a player who has been bought out by another team or call up a player from the Long Island Nets of the D-League.