Anyone following the Los Angeles Lakers knows that adding a legitimate center is one of general manager Rob Pelinka’s top priorities this offseason. To the surprise of few, Jaxson Hayes and Alex Len weren’t the answer to the Lakers’ frontcourt woes following the Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis swap, leaving L.A. desperate to sign or draft a center this summer.
NBA free agency will begin on Sunday, July 6, meaning the Lakers have less than a month to iron out their plan of attack. While there will be plenty of opportunities for GM Pelinka to add outside help to the roster, the latest offseason buzz points to Los Angeles potentially contemplating a reunion with a familiar face.
On Tuesday, NBA insider Jake Fischer floated the idea of the Lakers potentially reuniting with former center Brook Lopez, who spent the 2017-18 season with the franchise.
“The Lakers have long been fans of Lopez, sources say,” Fischer reported. “That doesn’t guarantee they will pursue him again, but the Lakers are indeed expected to be a player in the center market this summer.”
Lopez, 37, has spent the last seven seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks after leaving the Lakers as a free agent in 2018. Although he’s since become a Milwaukee mainstay, the Bucks’ rocky outlook due to Damian Lillard’s injury and Giannis Antetokounmpo’s uncertain future could have the ex-L.A. center looking for a fresh start elsewhere next month.
Even though he’s no longer a Defensive Player of the Year candidate at this stage of his career, Lopez would easily be an upgrade over last year’s center options.
The former Lakers big man averaged 13.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks while shooting 50.9% from the floor and 37.3% from deep in 80 starts with the Bucks. He isn’t a lob threat by any means; however, he is the perfect stretch center who can make the most of Doncic and LeBron James’ elite playmaking skills — something Len and Hayes couldn’t do.
With nearly 1,200 games racked up between the regular season and playoffs, Lopez would be another experienced name whom head coach JJ Redick can call on during crucial minutes. The former 2008 10th overall pick also won an NBA Championship with the Bucks in 2021, which is the type of experience L.A. needs if it faces the Minnesota Timberwolves in the postseason again.
It isn’t unfathomable to imagine Lopez potentially being open to playing with the Lakers on a discount. He’s already won a ring and is nearing the end of his career, so he isn’t in a place to demand a big-money contract. He also knows how it feels to don the purple and gold uniforms at crypto.com Arena, and those memories could leave him willing to accept a team-friendly contract.
With free agency beginning in a few weeks, Lopez is definitely a name Lakers fans will want to follow before the action begins in July
