In a free agency without any big names in the inside game, many teams have their eyes on Brook Lopez as a possible addition, but the center might not be as available as he seems. According to the journalist Marc Stein, the center He begins to opt for agreeing to a renewal with Milwaukee, which would therefore retain one of its key players.
Brook has finished his contract of 52 million in four seasons this year, and he has done so with what is perhaps his best performance in that period. With 15.9 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game and a 37.4% accuracy rate on three-pointers, he has finished emphasizing his importance on both sides of the field, almost certainly earning another good contract. that he could re-sign in Wisconsin.
Bet on continuity
And it is that, with Khris Middleton also pointing to the renewal, it seems that the Bucks will try to maintain the core of the project with which they won the ring in 2021 but which has just stumbled in the first round on this occasion. Which, even with the bad result of this last year, seems logical in view of its options for the market.
And it is that, even if neither of them renewed, the salary space that the franchise would have would be reduced, because, in the absence of knowing the contracts of the men chosen in the second round of the draft (Chris Livingston and Andre Jackson), they would have of 21 million with only six players on the squad. Therefore, renewing their key pieces seems an imperative for them, since, assuming the Middleton renewal, letting Lopez go would not imply having space to look for a new center in free agency.
Brook has been considered a exit candidate since the hiring of Adrian Griffin as manager, as many expect the new manager to bring a different defensive approach than Mike Budenholzer, in which Lopez was instrumental. The center’s performance in this scheme was superb, but his lack of versatility was sometimes a problem for the team in the playoffs, where opponent adjustments exposed loopholes in this strategy and lessened his impact on the paint. However, the Bucks seem determined to seek continuity for him, and if he has to leave, let it be through a transfer.
(Cover photo: Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
