Bucks center Brook Lopez is in the final year of his contract, which pays him $13.9MM in 2022/23. He could become a free agent this summer, but don’t expect him to land with a new team anytime soon.
“I think there’s a lot of motivation for both sides, both Brook Lopez and the Bucks, either to get an extension done during the season, or to sign a new deal in the offseason,” ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski said on NBA Countdown (video link). “Milwaukee wants Brook Lopez to finish his career there. He has loved playing there.”
In addition to leading the NBA in blocked shots per game (2.9), Lopez is also averaging 15.5 points and 5.8 rebounds with an excellent .502/.402/.800 shooting slash line through 20 games (31.1 minutes per night). He was limited to just 13 regular season games in ’21/22 due to a herniated disc which required surgery, but the 34-year-old certainly looks fully healthy again.
Here’s more from the Central:
- Like Lopez, Cavaliers wing Caris LeVert is also on an expiring contract ($18.8MM). Kelsey Russo of The Athletic takes an in-depth look at LeVert’s role with the Cavs, which has already changed multiple times about a quarter of the way through the season. The 28-year-old says it was his idea to become a reserve after opening the year as the starting small forward, and while it’s been challenging when combined with recovering from an ankle sprain, he says he’s doing it for the betterment of the team. “It’s a little difficult,” LeVert said. “But I’m someone who focuses on winning. I’ve made that the most important thing. It is what it is, especially when you talk about being in the NBA and being on a really good team. It takes sacrifice. I think a lot of people don’t really realize that when you’re talking about being a part of a special group. Everybody has to sacrifice a little bit. For me, that’s just what it is this season.”
- As the No. 7 overall pick in the 2020 draft, Killian Hayes faced high expectations entering the NBA. The Pistons guard has mostly struggled offensively during his first three seasons, but he’s played better of late starting in place of the injured Cade Cunningham, and Detroit’s patience with Hayes appears to be paying off, according to James L. Edwards III of The Athletic. Since he entered the starting lineup, Hayes is averaging 11.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, 6.2 assists and 1.4 steals on .442/.400/.889 shooting in 11 games (29.5 MPG).
- How can the 9-12 Bulls turn their season around? Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic tackles that topic, suggesting that more minutes for rookie first-rounder Dalen Terry would be a good place to start — he has only appeared in 10 games for a total of 33 minutes thus far in ’22/23.
Bulls turn it around lol
More time time to blow it up and rebuild or double down and go all in
If I’m then I’m either trying Vuce and a first for Ayton once eligible for trade or trying to get James Wiseman at a cut price.
Deal DeMare DeRozan for the best rebuilding package possible (young players and or picks)
Go for a more old school approach, lots of point guard/centre pick and rolls sets with Lonzos height and playmaking being used to its fullest. Zach LaVine is the second ball handler and first scoring option. Pat Will at the 4 as a hybrid 3 and D kinda guy and the team really needing to find a good two way SF.
Rebuild through the draft for a couple years should also have some money to spend in FA
Lonzo would be a huge difference maker for this team, as we saw last year when he was healthy…
It really sucks with him being out right now, he’s exactly what this team is missing, and with him their roster fits together alot better.
Donovan wouldn’t have to worry about starting Dosunmu or Caruso, and instead they could be better used as secondary pieces off the bench, as that’s more their natural roles.
I was concerned about Lopez coming off back surgery but the early part of the season has put some of that to rest. He has picked up where he left off but the Bucks have championship aspirations so it is a 110 game season. Fingers crossed.
He, like Giannis, Middleton, Jrue and..well, practically everyone will get some DNP-Rest games. And it wouldn’t shock me 1 bit if all the names I mentioned get a week-10 day hiatus at some point.
It is hard for the Bulls to know what to is with Ball out. They gave up alot for Vuce. We shall see. Need to trade White and a 1st for a pg.
Caris fits so much better right now off the bench. With wade out, and Stevens still recovering it’ll be interesting to see whether Osman will get the starting nod.