Milwaukee Bucks: Is Brook Lopez a Good Idea?

The Milwaukee Bucks traded Ersan Ilyasova to the Detroit Pistons on June 11 with the intentions of creating nearly $23 million in cap space for the upcoming off-season and the flexibility to bring in a big name big man.

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Marc Gasol (30) and DeAndre Jordan (26) are ideal fits and could take the franchise to a level the likes of which it has never seen. Unfortunately, neither All-Star is likely to leave their respective city and even less likely to choose Milwaukee.

Both Al Jefferson (30) and Roy Hibbert (28) have the name recognition that goes along with what the Bucks are trying to do, but neither are likely to be available. In order for the two bigs to become free agents this off-season, Jefferson and Hibbert would have to be willing to leave a lot of money on the table by declining their player options.

Jefferson would have to give up $13.5 million in the short term, and Hibbert would have to walk away from $15.5 million. Initial reports have Jefferson staying in Charlotte while Hibbert is still undecided and will wait until late June to make a decision.

That really only leaves a few realistic options for the Bucks to pursue. Greg Monroe (25) and Tyson Chandler (32) are both unrestricted but will have many suitors.

Brook Lopez (27) may also prove to be a realistic option but has a player option for nearly $17 million. Lopez is rumored to opt out and has been identified as a major target of the Bucks.

Outside of the notable big names, the Bucks could lessen the cap blow with the likes of Robin Lopez (27) and Brandon Wright (27) who are both unrestricted. The team wouldn’t quite make the big splash it’s looking for, but they could instead make the right splash.

With that being said, how viable of an option is Brook Lopez, and should the Bucks bring him in?

Feb 9, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Milwaukee won 103-97. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Lopez is definitely an option, at least financially. The Ilyasova trade took care of that. However, Lopez has a concerning history of foot problems that should not be taken lightly.

Injuries in his right foot have plagued the big man the last four years. After playing in all 82 games in each of the first three years of his career, Lopez missed huge chunks of the 2011 and 2013 seasons with a fracture in the fifth metatarsal both times.

Despite the broken foot the previous year, the Brooklyn Nets signed Lopez to a four-year, $60 million max in July 2012. He went on to make his only All-Star berth that year before the injury took place for the second time the following season.

The fragile Lopez had a comeback season for the ages in 2014-15. He averaged 20 points, 9 rebounds and 2 blocks in the last two months of the season. The Nets then unexpectedly took the Atlanta Hawks to six games in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs in large part to Lopez’s contributions.

He’s had an up and down career. This season would prove to be no different in his efforts to recover from the broken foot. He started 2014 in and out of the starting lineup before a Kevin Garnett trade would finally open up a spot to start for good.

Lopez saved the best ball of his career for the last couple months. Just in time to get paid and get paid a lot. That in itself has to raise some questions and concerns.

Far too often guys save their best career basketball in a contact year and fail to deliver once they sign on the dotted line. Lopez does have solid career averages of 17.9 points, 7.3 boards and 1.7 blocks, but one has to at least wonder if we can expect to see more of that.

Even if the Bucks are not scared off by the injury concerns or the spotty play, it’s not going to be cheap to bring him on board. Centers in this league come at a premium, and he’s one of the better ones when healthy.

Don’t be surprised if Lopez lands another max contract, only this time he’d be looking at $20 million per. At that price, he’s not worth it. Very few players, let alone big men, are.

Nov 19, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) shoots over Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton (22) during the second half at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

The Bucks are in a really good spot for the first time in a long time, and that’s the kind of move that could jeopardize everything. Lopez at $15 million a year is acceptable given his injury concerns and more than fair compensation for his current production.

Anything more than 15, and the Bucks could be reminiscing about what could have been if it doesn’t pan out a couple years from now a la Larry Sanders.

That being said, Lopez certainly has a skill set that would suit the Bucks. He would provide the guards with a big they could actually dump the ball down to in the post. The team hasn’t seen that since Andrew Bogut in 2010.

Lopez also has the ability to run the pick and roll effectively as he’s able to both roll and pop out for a mid-range jumper. His reliable jumper also provides floor spacing when not directly involved in the play.

The one big knock on Lopez throughout his career, besides his health, has been his low rebounding totals. At 7 foot tall, there’s really no excuse for that, and it might be a bigger problem with Jabari Parker as the other big. Parker doesn’t appear like he’s going to be known for big numbers on the glass either.

However, if the Bucks can gang rebound with the likes of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Michael Carter-Williams, they may be able to offset that negative. Lopez does make up for his inconsistent rebounding with solid rim protection.

Lopez seems like a really good offensive fit, the type of fit the Bucks desperately need. He’s also an adequate defensive fit that would provide rim protection at the very least. On paper it works, as long as that paper doesn’t say more than $15 million a year.

Next: Let's Grade The Ersan Ilyasova Deal

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