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The overriding task for the Milwaukee Bucks this offseason was to identify ways to roll an aging roster forward after yet another first-round crash. GM Jon Horst has a few trade chips in the form of veteran contracts, but moving on from one of the core supporting pieces would inevitably result in an alteration to on-court team construction. Arguably, no supporting player departure would have a larger impact than that of Brook Lopez. Yet the Bucks might contemplate that very idea:
The relevant tidbit of info from the article:
Hartenstein, at this moment, is now generally expected to return to New York, as the Knicks have contacted opposing teams about moving Mitchell Robinson, sources said. There appears to be a wide range of starting-caliber big men available for trade. League personnel told Yahoo Sports the Bucks are open to reshaping their roster, and they are gauging the trade value for Brook Lopez. Houston, sources said, cautioned Lopez that re-signing with Milwaukee could very well lead to him eventually being traded when the Rockets pursued Lopez in free agency a year ago. Atlanta, sources said, continues to pursue deals for veteran center Clint Capela, who’s entering the final year of a contract that still owes the 30-year-old rim protector $22 million. Rival teams believe Utah is willing to engage in trade talks that would part ways with Jazz second-year center Walker Kessler. And the Detroit Pistons are evaluating the market for Isaiah Stewart, according to league sources.
Hilarious that the Rockets tried to give Brook the high sign, Brook came back for a nice payday anyhow thanks to the Rockets, and it may well end as they originally predicted. That’s how the cookie crumbles sometimes. And it sounds like the trade machine may not be limited to just Brook:
Doc Rivers is looking to change the core around Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, per @WindhorstESPN
“There’s starting to be rumblings that Doc Rivers is looking for a change or two to some of their core pieces. Not Dame or Giannis, but potentially looking at another… pic.twitter.com/T5217UmLmg
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 21, 2024
Objectively, moving on from Lopez would be a gamble with upside and downside. He’s been an iron man outside of the 2021-2022 title defense season with his busted up back requiring surgery, and he did anchor Milwaukee’s scheme for years under former coach Mike Budenholzer. That he’s a reliable 35+% three point shooter who can do the physical dirty work to save Giannis Antetokounmpo some wear and tear has only enhanced his value and fit. Thus, on the downside, you’d be losing a core piece to Milwaukee’s on-court identity.
Critically, though, he is 36 years old, did have that back surgery (that he’s returned from with aplomb, to his credit), is slowing down a bit, is owed $23 million next year (he’ll need to be paid again or take a paycut), and does restrict the style of defense coach Doc Rivers can run when he’s on the court. While he has added much to the team since arriving via free agent scrap heap there are some negatives that come with an older center whose skillset becomes more niche by the season. That he’s currently a big outgoing salary could also expand the horizon of players that could be sent back to Milwaukee should the Bucks find a team in the market for Lopez.
Unfortunately for both sides, there is no pretty way to exit the partnership so it comes down to a game of value extraction. Is another season of Lopez as (presumably) an above-average starter with flaws worth more than player X or Y and a shift in defensive philosophy? Does the possibility of changing approach and potentially refreshing the roster’s age a bit represent the kind of return Rivers and Horst would be comfortable with? How much do they need to account for Giannis’s opinions since, we assume, a pivot away from Brook may push a larger burden on Antetokounmpo’s shoulders?
A lot of interesting and tough questions for the team to answer. We’ll keep an eye on this and any other developments as the draft approaches next Wednesday, June 26th.
Source link : https://www.brewhoop.com/2024/6/21/24183322/milwaukee-bucks-brook-lopez-nba-trade-offseason
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Publish date : 2024-06-21 20:00:00
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