5 Offseason moves Bucks must be prepared to make to keep Giannis happy

2. Move on from Brook Lopez

Lopez has been a revelation for the Bucks. It is easy to forget that he arrived in 2018 on just a $3.3 million contract after being dumped by the Lakers. He was an All-Star in Brooklyn and reinvented himself as a stretch five capable of protecting the rim and dropping 12 points every night in the Cream City.

Lopez is an elite rim protector. He struggled to begin the season, but the Bucks quickly went back to playing drop coverage. His production returned, and Lopez even offered more in the playoffs as the Bucks dealt with injuries.

The 7’1 big man just turned 36 years old. He is entering the final year of his contract and making $23 million. This could be the perfect opportunity for the Bucks to sell high and get significant value. Who knows how many elite seasons Brook Lopez has left?  

Trading him for an upgrade seems unlikely. He is past his prime and on a value contract. Finding a more impactful option as his salary will be nearly impossible. If Lopez cannot be moved, that leaves Milwaukee’s front office with just one player to trade. He is a superstar but is unlikely to fetch the price the Bucks just paid after a slightly disappointing first season in the Cream City.