Even after a poor playoff showing with the Milwaukee Bucks, soon-to-be free agent Brook Lopez will be in demand this offseason. Plenty of teams can use a starting-caliber center, but one division, the Pacific, may feature the most prominent suitors. In some way, shape, or form, the Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors, and Phoenix Suns all need a big body, and Lopez could be that.
Several teams may be gunning for Brook Lopez
The Los Angeles Lakers desperately need size after they were exposed in the postseason for having little to no rim protection. ESPN's Bobby Marks floated Golden State as a possible Lopez suitor as the Warriors seek a man in the middle. NBA insider Jake Fischer reports that the Suns are on the hunt for a starting center. Brook Lopez makes plenty of sense for each squad.
Even at 37, he's serviceable. He's not the defensive terror he was a few years ago, but Lopez can still send a few shots into the fourth row here and there while catching lobs. Offensively, he is still a quality floor spacer, and all of these teams could use that.
The question is which team may be willing to pay the most to get him. To be honest, the upcoming list of free agent centers is not the flashiest. Outside of Naz Reid and Myles Turner, who will likely secure nice raises from their current franchises, Lopez may be one of the more established names. Even at his age, some teams may be willing to go all-in to secure his services.
It's not a foregone conclusion that Lopez leaves Milwaukee, though they could benefit from getting younger and more athletic, so this situation will be worth monitoring. Even if the Milwaukee Bucks do want him back, the big man could be pried from them. It will also be important if a Lopez deal results in a sign and trade, which could help the Bucks net some valuable assets in return.
Outside of Giannis Antetokounmpo's place at the power forward spot, no other position will be under a microscope more than the center slot this offseason. The Milwaukee Bucks could use a retooling at the center position, but that is far easier said than done. Only time will tell where Lopez fits into their summer plans, if he does at all. To be sure, there will be warm-weather teams keeping an eye on him.
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