Brook Lopez Contract Reportedly Interests Lakers in NBA FA amid Walker Kessler Rumors
The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly expected by rival teams to "make a run" at signing Brook Lopez in free agency, NBA insider Jake Fischer reported on Saturday.
Stein added that there is "a growing belief" around the NBA that Lopez will be joining a new team after seven seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Lopez is hitting free agency after the expiration of his previous two-year, $48 million deal with the Bucks.
The Lakers have been connected to multiple centers, both in free agency and on the trade market, as the team searches for a starter who can play alongside Luka Dončić next season.
Jaxson Hayes served in that role last season, but was regularly benched during the Lakers' playoff run.
The Lakers were linked to trade talks for Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler this week, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin.
McMenamin reported that Kessler's representatives were not contacted about a potential trade, however, which he noted "is customary when a trade nears the finish line."
The Lakers previously reached out to both the Jazz about Kessler and to the Atlanta Hawks about Onyeka Okongwu last season before attempting their failed trade for Mark Williams, according to McMenamin.
The franchise has also held internal talks about Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton and Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III since last season, per McMenamin.
A former NBA executive recently told ClutchPoints' Anthony Irwin they believe the Lakers are in a disadvantage in trade negotiations because other teams know about their need for a center.
If the Lakers are unable to work out a trade and turn to free agency, the franchise could consider targeting free agents like Lopez or Capela.
Lopez averaged 13.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.8 assists while starting 80 games for the Bucks last season.
He put up 1.9 blocks per game, a drop from the 2.4 blocks he averaged over the last two seasons, but remained an efficient shooter by making 50.9 percent of his shots from the field and 37.3 percent from deep.
Lopez spent the 2017-18 season with the Lakers after he was traded there by the Nets, but left in free agency the next summer in order to sign with the Bucks. If the Lakers believe he would be a fit with Dončić, the franchise could consider bringing him back for a second stint in Los Angeles.
