Bucks reserve center Robin Lopez will decline his $5MM player option and become a free agent, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski tweets.
Lopez, 32, joined Milwaukee on a two-year, $9.2MM deal to back up his brother, Brook Lopez. Robin Lopez appeared in 66 regular season games last season, including five starts, and averaged 5.4 PPG and 2.4 RPG in 14.7 MPG. His playing time dropped dramatically in the postseason, as he only made three brief appearances.
Given his age and status as a role player, Lopez might be taking a gamble entering the free agent market. It suggests he’s confident he can get that amount or close to it in the open market or that he’s eager to get more playing time. Lopez had been a starter most of his career before his one-year stint with the Bucks.
Lopez’ decision frees up some much-needed cap space for Milwaukee, which is looking to make upgrades and convince Giannis Antetokounmpo to stay put.
Brook wrapped an arm around Robin’s head and gave him noogies until Robin said Stop stop okay I’m opting out!
“Lopez’ decision frees up some much-needed cap space for Milwaukee”— HR^
Robin sacrificed so that Brook & MIL can get over the hump. He will probably get paid back later!
MIL won’t have to waive Ilyasova at least, or, they can use it towards the guard they need in a trade.
Wow, that’s a surprise. I don’t see him being worth $5MM to any team, but I guess he must have at least an inkling that he will make more or he would have opted in. Unless he just got bad advice.
He’s not getting more than the minimum anywhere else.
Lose-Lose. Lopez isn’t likely to get a multi-year deal that would justify opting out. Bucks lose a non-minimum expiring contract that might be used in a trade.
Robin Lopez
Good Team Value: $4M one year
Bad Team Value: $8M one year
Pistons and Hornets can sign him one year deal at $8M
Right, that’s gonna happen.
He will sign a minimum deal just like every other backup center.
8 million? what?
Stop it! He couldn’t even get on the floor in the playoffs. Lopez will get the vet min.
Not as significant or as expected as Matthews opting out, but this off-season hasn’t been generating good news for the Bucks so far..
I guess he wants more mins. Cause he ain’t getting more money. He’s a solid rim protector, smart player. A good backup and can help a team. Suns could use him as backup C. They are probably letting Baynes and Kaminsky walk. Even Warriors could use him.
He outshot his brother from 3 land 33% to 31%…maybe he thinks that someone will think highly of a below average 3 pt shooting center like Bucks valued his brother.
Of course that 33% by Robin was a career high by a long shot, while the 31% by Brook was effectively also his career low, also by a wide margin. Brook Lopez has a .341 career rate and shot .365 in 2018/2019. He’s hardly a below average 3pt shooting center.
He’ll be playing in Boston this coming year…if you ask me
Lopez to Warriors for the min. He is a good fit there.