Brook Lopez confirms he wants to stay with the Milwaukee Bucks long term

This past offseason, there were questions about Brook Lopez’s future with the Milwaukee Bucks.

The big man had just missed a significant portion of the 2021-22 season due to a back procedure, and some people were questioning whether it was time to move on. Thankfully, the Bucks did not even entertain the idea of letting go of Lopez, as he has been a massive piece for the team during the 2022-23 season thus far. Lopez has raised his stock quite a bit amid what has been a contract year for him, but even with free agency looming, he made it clear where he wants to be long-term. As Lopez said while speaking to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto:

"“I love it here,” Lopez told HoopsHype when asked about his long-term future after the Bucks defeated the Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Monday. “I’m so thankful for the opportunity the Bucks gave me five years ago to come here and be a part of something special. We’ve had a great time. I can’t imagine being anywhere else.”"

Brook Lopez confirms he wants to stay with the Milwaukee Bucks long term

These words should be music to Bucks fans’ ears. Not only has Lopez been an instrumental piece in Milwaukee’s success, which included a title run, over the past five years, but he is having one of his best NBA seasons to date in 2022-23.

Lopez’s defense has been his biggest boon this season, as he currently leads the entire league in blocked shots with 101 overall. Since he signed with the Bucks, the center has consistently been one of the most imposing interior threats in the association, and he has never been better than this year. His incredible shot-blocking has Lopez atop many of the Defensive Player of the Year ladders right now, and rightfully so. While Lopez told Scotto that his first goal is to help the Bucks be successful, winning the Defensive Player of the Year is a goal of his, and he has a genuine shot.

Not only has Lopez been a dominant force on the defensive end, but he has been great offensively as well. The big man is currently averaging 14.5 points while shooting 50.5 percent from the floor and 38.1 percent from behind the arc, all of which are the highest Lopez has put up as a member of the Milwaukee Bucks. Lopez’s 3-point shooting has undoubtedly been his biggest weapon on that side of the ball this season, as his 38.1 percent is a career-high. From the moment he signed with the Bucks, Lopez turned into a solid outside shooter, but he has taken it to new heights this season, and the results are beyond welcoming.

All of Lopez’s feelings should be mutual for the Bucks. They would be hard-pressed to find another center who fits as well as Lopez on both sides of the basketball. As far as the financial figures, that is where things could get somewhat debatable, but HoopsHype floated around the idea that Lopez could land a deal somewhere around $34.7 million for two years. For now, Lopez and the team will remain focused on making a run at another title this season, but the veteran’s words have made it clear that he does not want to suit up for another team at this stage of his NBA career.

Stay tuned to see how Brook Lopez’s future with the Milwaukee Bucks ultimately plays out.