The Los Angeles Lakers were rumored to be interested in Brook Lopez during the offseason as they searched for a starting center, and the franchise should be happy he decided to join the rival Clippers. He did have 11 points, five rebounds, and two blocks in the Clippers' win over the Lakers on Saturday night, but he committed four turnovers and only played 25 minutes. With Ivica Zubac going down, LA needs Lopez to play a starter’s role, but that may no longer be possible.
The former All-Star hasn’t started a game this season. He averages 6.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks in 14.7 minutes per game. Last season, Lopez started all 81 games he played in and averaged 31.7 minutes each night. It is not just the 37-year-old’s playing time that is down. Lopez has produced a negative-0.1 value over replacement player (VORP) and a negative win shares per 48 minutes.
The Lakers needed a starting center capable of playing 30-plus minutes every night. Fans liked the idea of Lopez’s floor spacing and rim protection, but Luka Doncic wanted a lob target. They certainly don’t regret that the veteran signed across town after his struggles.
Lakers dodged a bullet when Brook Lopez signed with the Clippers
The Clippers are just 7-21 to start this season and are 6-15 in the games with Lopez this season. He is shooting a career-worst 40.5 percent from the field and just 69.2 percent on his free throws. Lopez signed to be Zubac’s backup, but may be thrust into a larger role after the Clippers starter was injured on Saturday night. The veteran doesn’t appear ready.
The Lakers wound up signing Ayton off the buyout market to be their starting center. He is averaging 15.3 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 1.0 block in 29.4 minutes per game. The seven-footer is shooting a career-high 71.0 percent from the field as Luka’s pick-and-roll partner.
The Lakers are still worried about what is to come from Ayton. He has already missed four games and has not always played well in the brightest moments. Still, the in his prime big man was a massive upgrade over Lopez.
Rob Pelinka wisely avoided signing higher-profile free agents on the back end of their careers. Ayton, Marcus Smart, and Jake LaRavia have all made an impact in the Lakers' fast start. Despite being just 6-4 in their last ten, Los Angeles is still sitting fourth in the West at 19-8. That would not be the case if they were cobbling together their center minutes every night around Lopez and Jaxson Hayes.
The Lakers could still use another center to round out their rotation. Fans should want to see LA trade for Daniel Gafford to give them 48 minutes of solid production every night.
Brook Lopez was not the answer for the Los Angeles Lakers, and the franchise dodged a bullet when he returned home to the crosstown Clippers. The 37-year-old is nearing the end of an impressive career, but there is not much left in the tank. Saturday night was his first time all season playing more than 20 minutes in a game.
Lopez’s production has fallen off, and he can no longer provide the role the Lakers needed. Thankfully, the purple and gold don’t have to worry about it dragging down the team.