Lakers free agent target: Brook Lopez
Brook Lopez has emerged as a free agent for the Lakers. He has spent the last five seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks and was a pivotal part of their championship season.
Lopez would be an ideal center to pair next to Anthony Davis in the frontcourt. He can space the floor and is one of the best defensive bigs in the NBA.
The Lakers are interested in Brook Lopez, per @mcten pic.twitter.com/EgkGJvo68Y
— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) June 29, 2023
This season, he averaged 16/7/1, shooting 53.1% from the field and 37.4% from three. Lopez was among the leading candidates for the Defensive Player of the Year award, with 2.5 blocks per game.
His defensive play and ability to space the floor at an elite clip is a perfect pairing next to Davis. The Lakers would have two of the best paint defenders in the league, and the spacing wouldn’t be troublesome, as Lopez has consistently hit three-point shots.
Lopez is also connected to head coach Darvin Ham, who was an assistant coach for the Bucks for four seasons. He also suited up for the LakeShow in the 2017-18 season.
A double-double from Brook Lopez helps the @Lakers get home win! pic.twitter.com/XbmHP4Sgij
— NBA (@NBA) November 4, 2017
If the 35-year-old Lopez signed with the Lakers, it would create the best frontcourt in the NBA alongside Davis and LeBron James.
His defense, paired with Ham’s system and the other defenders on the roster, would make them one of the top defenses in the league.
With James' ability to get into the paint, he could find Lopez in the corner for open three-point shots, which he knocks down at a good clip.
If you’re the Lakers I don’t see why you wouldn’t make a big push for Brook Lopez. He’s a DPOY-type defender and shot 37% from 3 last year.
— Lakers All Day Everyday (@LADEig) June 29, 2023
He fills a huge need for LA.
The most the Lakers can offer him is the full mid-level exception. That would be a deal worth $12.4 million annually.
LA should push to sign him, but he would have to take a discount. Lopez, on the open market, could earn more than $12.4 million. The Lakers would have to sell the idea that his pairing with James and Davis and reuniting with Ham would give them a great shot at winning the title.
Pelinka should meet with Lopez and try to sign him to the full mid-level exception, as he would give LA the best frontcourt in the league.