Brook Lopez chose the Clippers in free agency partly because he believes they’re poised to win a championship, according to Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times.
“Looking at my options, I was just thrilled the Clippers reached out and were one of them,” Lopez said. “They’ve been a great team for quite a while now. They have a ton of great players, obviously Hall of Famers, All-Stars, great young players. My guy Zubi (Ivica Zubac)! And there is a great chance to win a championship here.”
Lopez has ties to the area. He grew up in southern California and played one season with the Lakers before winding up in Milwaukee for seven seasons. A starter throughout his stint with the Bucks, Lopez projects as a backup to Zubac with the Clippers. Lopez believes he can also share the court effectively with the Most Improved Player runner-up.
“I think we complement each other extremely well,” he said, per Janis Carr of the Orange County Register. “Obviously, we’ll be very big. I think we’d be great defensively just dominating the paint, sealing the paint off and then, offensively, we complement each other there as well. I’ll spread the floor for him, give ’em all the room and the paint for him to go wild.”
Lopez, 37, signed a two-year, $18MM contract with the Clippers, who used a chunk of their non-taxpayer mid-level exception to acquire his services.
Despite his age, Lopez has been both durable and productive in recent seasons. He played in 80 games last season with the Bucks, averaging 31.8 minutes per game. He averaged 13 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.9 blocks, while shooting 50.9% from the floor and 37.3% from 3-point range.
Lopez says he’ll accept whatever role is asked of him. He believes the situation he’s stepping into is a “perfect fit” for him.
“I’m just trying to come in and help the team win,” Lopez said. “Whatever that may look like, that’s what I’m here to do. Wherever my minutes may come from when I’m on the court, the beginning of the game, middle of the game, end of the game, I’m trying to be out there trying to help my team win and beat the other team on the court.”
Glad he’s back in La
Clippers is healthy maybe a contender. 5% chance they stay healthy.
2nd tier contender
You’re not winning anything with the ball in Harden’s hands. You can score in the regular season but you aren’t winning anything when it matters.
“Reached out” is one of the dumbest expressions of all time. Contacted is what was used to express that communication occurred, for many, many years. Writers need to get back to that.
Is Lopez a writer ?
How bout kicking the can down the road ?
English is a very flexible language
I hope your policing isnt part of any project on “making america great again “
WTF? Really? GTFOAH!
Brolo is a true baller and I hope he gets a couple more good seasons.
Warriors should have been all over this. Pathetic
Definitely would have gave them a real chance to win one more time. You are completely right
The Warriors are not going to give Brook Lopez two guaranteed years at nine per.
His perimeter defense is atrocious at this point. He can block shots because he’s huge.., and he can shoot, but the dude is getting real slow.
That’s way too much money for a guy who’s only going to play in the first 3/4 of a playoff game.
Horford is a much better choice and will be less money. Horford is a lot more mobile, can shoot just as well, and is a way better perimeter defender.
If you’re going to sign an Old Center, Lopez is not him if you want to win it all.
Back up to Zubac? Perfect.
Warriors don’t need a back up. They need a guy who can play a lot.
Lopez plays more than Horford. Lopez helped Milwaukee win their second NBA title
Lopez is more of a center than Horford
The contract could be one year with a team option
Who cares about a Center playing perimeter defense
Yes Lopez is obviously a backup for the first time in his career unlike Horford
Lopez is a better defender than Horford
Yes Lopez was injured recently obviously
You think Horford is going to play alot of minutes? Ha
Lopez and Horford would be perfect but not possible. Horford and another Center would work. What other centers are available along with Horford to play center for GS?
Yeah, that’s the question. That’s the infuriating part of being a warrior fan today.
They have not signed a single guy and seems like every other team has been busy building their rosters.
I don’t even know who’s out there anymore. Horford AND Lopez would’ve been sweet. 20 minutes per game each.
But at that money it’s not going to happen. Lopez is a nice $5 million player but not a $9 million player. Especially not for two years.
Warriors probably did offer what you suggest, one year plus option and partial guarantee.
Lopez, of course took the two years. Who wouldn’t? But it’s an overpay.
He’s still effective. He’s a great back up for Zubac but with the Warriors and $18 million for 2 years to start? Not a single chance if happening at all.
I just looked and Thomas Bryant, Charles Bassey, Bismack Biyombo, Kai Jones, Bol Bol and … Alex Len are the only other options at center out there ughhhh
Uggh is right. The Warriors better have something good planned out or this could be ugly.
Orlando Robinson and Moses Brown are also available.
You are right. Looking at their roster, they definitely need a starting veteran C (30 yrs old and older) Horford is perfect to start . Start Heild too. They do need a C a little younger than Post in a two way contract. Maybe Kai Jones, Robinson or Bassey? Does someone know a Center overseas?
They also have the draft rights to Nico somehow and some guy named Jessup still overseas. Thomas Robinson(PF) deserves good luck for his tough life
Jahil Okafor?
Lakers let him walk then they chose Ayton over him. I understand. Kinda. Lebron is a passive rebounder. DFS was an active rebounder so they better hope Laravia chases the ball. Of the roster, Doncic is most active rebounder. 8+ from your guard means he is working for the ball.
He knows he prefers lively cities rather than boring ones.
I mean, the Clippers are in Anaheim now. Brook just prefers to go to Disney Land on his off days with his family lol. He’s not going downtown LA.
California is still more lively than Milwaukee.
Anaheim? That’s like the article saying Brook Lopez is from Southern California.
The Clippers play in the hood on Manchester Avenue in Inglewood. Right next to the fabulous forum of Lakers past glory.
Fresno is not Southern California. You’ll see 20 Giants ball caps to every one Dodgers ball cap in the San Joaquin Valley.
He loves Disney, just imagine how much time he can spend looking for the collectibles he craves on off hours of NBA work
Clippers owner pays his players. He gets what he wants. Thats how you get the players you want. You Pay Them.
Has to feel good to play at home. Clippers have a good team. They won 51 gms last year. Now have improved their team. Clippers are doing what they can. Have to give them credit.
Big mistake by GSW not to sign Lopez.