After just one season with the Los Angeles Lakers, free agent center Brook Lopez has signed with the Milwaukee Bucks. Where does that leave the purple and gold in terms of their starting center?
The Los Angeles Lakers are in desperate need of a starting caliber center. That search will have to continue after they were unable to secure their own free agent, Brook Lopez.
Free agent center Brook Lopez has reached an agreement with Milwaukee, league sources tell ESPN.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) July 8, 2018
Lopez signed a one-year deal with the Milwaukee Bucks on their bi-annual exception of $3.4 million. A steep downgrade compared to the $22.6 million he made last season in his final year under contract stemming from his time with the Brooklyn Nets.
Lopez is the type of unconventional center that any modern NBA team covets in today’s game. A pick-and-pop, 3-point threat that can spread the floor, but can also body into the post when needed.
The Bucks will most likely slot Lopez as their starting center, allowing Thon Maker and Tyler Zeller to fight for backup minutes. There are also still questions surrounding Jabari Parker that they have to manage.
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In his lone season for the Lake Show, Lopez was tapped as the starter in 72 out of 74 games played in head coach Luke Walton’s revolving rotation. However, a regression in minutes saw a regression in overall production. He posted 13.0 points and 4.0 rebounds while shooting 34.5 percent from deep.
The Lakers lose their starting guy, and, unless they make any other free agency splashes, will have to choose between newly signed JaVale McGee, 2016 No. 32 overall pick Ivica Zubac and the rookie–2018 No. 25 overall pick Moritz Wagner.
The Lakers acquired Lopez in the 2017 offseason from the Brooklyn Nets. Both 2015 No. 2 overall pick D’Angelo Russell and Timofey Mozgov were shipped in exchange for Lopez and the Nets 2017 first-round pick– which turned into Kyle Kuzma at No. 27.
That deal enabled the Lakers to shed Mozgov’s ungodly contract. Plus, Kuzma made the NBA All-Rookie First Team last season. A win-win in my opinion.
Lopez was often the lone star on a lost Nets team in his nine seasons there. He was the No. 10 overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft by the New Jersey Nets and averaged 13.0 points and 8.1 boards a game his rookie year. He had his best year in the 2013-14 season with the newly-minted Brooklyn Nets posting 20.7 points and 6.0 rebounds en route to his lone All-Star appearance that year.
Lopez will hit the free agent market again next offseason entering a pool that already features some of the top players in the NBA.
Should the Lakers tap their remaining funds and attempt to sign another big, the likes of Alex Len and Greg Monroe are still available.
Next: Grading The Lakers Free Agency Thus Far and Potential Moves
Oh, and how could I forget Clint Capela? The Houston Rockets’ gem restricted free agent is still available, and negotiations are reportedly not great between the two sides. But “Cape-LA” is a long-shot because he will likely command a max contract, something even Hollywood cannot afford as of right now.