Former Milwaukee Bucks big man and champion Brook Lopez hasn't played in any of the LA Clippers' past three games. He's not injured. He's not suspended. The Clippers just don't think he can help this team as much as they thought he could when they signed him this past summer. Now, after a handful of weeks, the aging center's future with his new franchise is up in the air.
Brook Lopez no longer has a role on this aging LA Clippers team
Bucks fans knew Brook Lopez was in decline. There's a reason they moved heaven and earth to sign Myles Turner this past summer. With Lopez getting up there in age, Milwaukee needed a young, more athletic big man to take the reins. Plenty of people claimed the Bucks overpaid and would have been better off keeping Lopez. It sure doesn't look like it right now.
In 17 games this season, Lopez has averaged 6.3 points and 1.9 rebounds per game while shooting a mere 40.4 percent from the floor. His interior defense, a trademark of his game during his time with the Bucks, has been nowhere to be found, averaging just 0.8 blocks per game. Rebounding has never been his strength, but a 7-foot-1 player getting one offensive rebound in all of November is absurd.
The Clippers should have seen the warning signs. While he averaged 31.8 minutes per game during the regular season last year, that number dipped down to 14.8 in the postseason. Game 5 was also the first time he came off the bench in a playoff game. Lopez simply couldn't keep up with the far more athletic Indiana Pacers (and the rest of the NBA). A change of scenery wasn't going to help.
There's no telling where Lopez goes from here. This wasn't some low-cost flyer, as the Clippers gave him a two-year deal worth $18 million. He's on the hook for decent money, and their ship is sinking at a rapid rate. While he's nice depth and a great locker room presence, it wouldn't be overly shocking if the big man was traded in a move to try and reignite LA's nosediving title hopes.
Nearing 38 years old, Lopez's best days as a basketball player are behind him. He's not turning back the clock. Lopez certainly isn't LA's biggest problem, as the roster has been riddled with injuries and is not the most seamless fit-wise, but he's certainly played a part.
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