The Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers are both reportedly eyeing center Brook Lopez in the upcoming free agency period, setting up a potential bidding war for the veteran big man.
Golden State's front office has recognized the need to shift Draymond Green back to his natural power forward position, creating a vacancy at center. While the Warriors have some options at the position, they're particularly interested in adding a shooting big to complement Green in the frontcourt.
Meanwhile, the Lakers find themselves in an even more desperate situation after their trade for Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams fell apart due to health concerns. Los Angeles now faces a significant gap in their roster at the center position.
Lopez, coming off a two-year, $48 million contract with the Milwaukee Bucks, presents an intriguing option for both franchises. The 37-year-old's ability to stretch the floor with his three-point shooting while providing rim protection makes him a valuable commodity despite his limited playing time during Milwaukee's playoff elimination against the Indiana Pacers, where he logged fewer than eight minutes in Game 5.
According to an NBA executive quoted by insider Gery Woelfel, the Lakers are expected to make a strong push to bring Lopez back to Los Angeles, where he previously played during the 2017-18 season. Statbet analysts have identified Lopez as one of the most efficient floor-spacing centers in the league over the past three seasons, making him an ideal target for teams seeking versatility at the position.
For the Warriors, their pursuit may hinge on the availability of the non-taxpayer mid-level exception, which depends on what happens with Jonathan Kuminga's restricted free agency. The financial constraints could put Golden State at a disadvantage if multiple teams drive up Lopez's market value.
While Lopez won't command another $20+ million annual salary at this stage of his career, the competition for his services could push his price beyond what the Warriors might be willing to offer. The Lakers may hold an advantage by potentially offering more playing time to the 17-year veteran, creating a challenging situation for Golden State's recruitment efforts.
