It took just a few hours into the start of free agency for the Milwaukee Bucks to lose one of the most essential players of the Giannis Antetokounmpo era, with Brook Lopez signing with the LA Clippers. Now, with the Bucks' defensive identity in question, it's no question that Milwaukee's next move must be to go get another center who can defend the rim.
Lopez was never just a floor spacer or an above-average level starter. He anchored Milwaukee’s drop coverage, and was one of the most effective rim protectors in basketball for years. It's no mystery why the Bucks' team success started to reach a new level after he arrived in town in 2018.
Even in his mid-30s, Lopez managed to finish second in Defensive Player of the Year voting as recently as 2023. He covered up defensive holes, played physically without fouling, and gave Giannis freedom to roam defensively and do what he does best. Replacing that kind of presence will not be easy, and it may not be totally possible. However, trying to survive without it would be total malpractice.
The Bucks need another center, and fast
The problem is that Milwaukee already tried to plan for this kind of departure in the past and failed. For years, Bobby Portis was penciled in as a backup rim protector behind Lopez, but the numbers were never too kind to the idea of that succeeding. Portis has become a valuable scoring threat and a passionate leader off the bench, but his defense remains a liability at times.
There is a reason the Bucks clung to Lopez so tightly over the years. It's because he was the one thing that kept their interior defense from falling apart. Now, with Brook gone, and with Damian Lillard expected to miss most or all of the 2025-26 season following surgery, the Bucks' margin for error has evaporated.
This team simply cannot afford a wasted season, let alone another first-round flameout in the playoffs. Milwaukee has to act decisively and find a center who can at least keep their defense above water. Whether that is through a free agency signing or a trade, the Bucks must fill the void left by Lopez’s departure.
It's just too obvious at this point what Milwaukee needs as a starting point for making this roster competitive again. If you want to keep Giannis Antetokounmpo happy, go get someone who can fill Brook Lopez's void.