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Los Angeles Lakers: Brook Lopez ranked 48th in SLAM Top 50

By Nick Ziegler

EL SEGUNDO, CA - JUNE 28: Brook Lopez gets introduced by the Los Angeles Lakers at a press conference on June 28, 2017 in El Segundo, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
EL SEGUNDO, CA - JUNE 28: Brook Lopez gets introduced by the Los Angeles Lakers at a press conference on June 28, 2017 in El Segundo, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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SLAM recently released their rankings for the Top 50 players in the NBA. Where did Los Angeles Lakers center Brook Lopez place?

One of the biggest trades this offseason was the Los Angeles Lakers acquiring Brook Lopez from the Brooklyn Nets.

This offseason, Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka wasted no time getting busy, as they pulled off a blockbuster trade with the Brooklyn Nets. The Lakers sent point guard D’Angelo Russell and the awful contract of Timofey Mozgov to the Nets in exchange for Lopez and the 27th overall pick.

So far, the trade looks like a good one for the Lakers. That 27th overall pick ended up being Kyle Kuzma, who was the Summer League Finals MVP. In addition to getting the first round pick, Lopez was also the best player involved in the trade.

While Russell might become a star in the NBA, he isn’t there yet. Lopez is one of the best centers in the NBA, and he is actually still improving. Recently, SLAM began to rank their Top 50 players for next season. Lopez came in ranked 48th above Dion Waiters and Ben Simmons. Here’s what they had to say about Lopez.

"After making just three long balls from 2008-16, he shot nearly 35 percent from beyond the arc on almost 400 threes last year in Kenny Atkinson’s up-tempo system. While that didn’t help Brooklyn much in the win column, it showed that even an interior-focused 7-footer can change his game to fit the NBA’s radically altered scoring landscape. A stretch-5 who scores over 20 points a night with a slash line of .474/.346/.810 while playing pretty good defense doesn’t come around often."

Seeing Lopez ranked in the Top 50 is certainly a good thing for the Lakers. After playing on some very poor Nets teams, Lopez has flown under the radar in the NBA. Despite a lot of losing, Lopez is one of the best offensive centers in the NBA.

Last season, Lopez averaged 20.5 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game. While the rebounding numbers aren’t great for Lopez, he has played with active power forwards who get on the glass.

For the Lakers, the addition of Lopez should really help them. Giving rookie point guard Lonzo Ball a great post player in Lopez and also a center that can shoot 3-pointers will be a great luxury.

Next: Ranking the 10 greatest signings in franchise history

Lopez will be entering the final year of his contract next season and he will surely be looking to impress. A good season with the Lakers will certainly help him land a big new deal in the offseason.

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