Brook Lopez's story with the Milwaukee Bucks has been an interesting one from the start.
Trying to rebound from a mediocre stint with the Los Angeles Lakers, the big man inked a one-year, team-friendly deal with Milwaukee in the summer of 2018. Lopez quickly became a crucial cog for a Bucks team on the rise, flexing newly-improved 3-point shooting and shot-blocking chops that he had never displayed previously.
Through several contract extensions, Lopez continued to be a part of Milwaukee's success, helping them hoist the Larry O'Brien Trophy in 2021 and nearly taking home the Defensive Player of the Year honor soon after. The big man has been there through the highest of highs, but also the lowest of the lows. Lately, it's been much more of the lows demanding the spotlight.
The Milwaukee Bucks very well may move on from Brook Lopez
All season long, there were concerns about how the slow-footed Lopez, 37, would hold up against the rise of youth, speed and athleticism that were fueling breakout teams across the NBA. The concerns were valid, and Milwaukee's first round series against the Indiana Pacers proved it, as Lopez slowly became an insignificant piece of the rotation as the matchup went on.
After playing a combined 30 minutes in Games 3 and 4, Lopez was benched, not starting in a playoff game for the first time in his NBA career. The big man played just eight minutes, and the only stat he recorded was his two points. The Milwaukee Bucks went on to lose Game 5, ending their season far earlier than they hoped for the third year in a row.
Now, heading into the offseason, it's clear the Milwaukee Bucks could benefit from retooling at the center spot. Finding youth, athleticism and speed to combat what the top contenders like Cleveland, New York and Boston, teams the Bucks didn't beat once during the regular season, have, would be a logical next step as they aim to hang with the NBA's new heavyweights.
For the first time in a long time, the Milwaukee Bucks may be on the hunt for a new starting center this coming offseason, as Lopez will be a free agent. Following how things went down in the NBA Playoffs, no one would be shocked if the two sides went their separate ways. It would mark the end of an era, but it might be a necessary step in what could be a significant retooling for the Bucks.
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