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The Milwaukee Bucks’ Brook Lopez was on the tips of several tongues these past few months as a possible candidate to be traded. False alarm!
Here are Jon Horst’s answers to some questions from Eric Nehm of The Athletic (courtesy of Hoops Rumors):
…because Brook is so core to who we are, we have zero intentions of trading Brook… we’ve not engaged in any real conversations about trading Brook. There are teams that have a lot of value and interest in him. It’s my job to take calls, receive calls, have conversations, but Brook has been and will continue to be core to who we are.
Horst continued:
I hope that Brook retires as a Milwaukee Buck. That’s been the goal since we originally got him. His impact on our team defensively and rebounding is elite. It only gets better. It’s not declining. I mean, he’s an anomaly in how he just continues to get better and better and better. For (head coach) Doc (Rivers), who got to spend time with Brook personally last year, Brook holds an incredible value for Doc for what he does defensively and rebounding and offensively, the spacing he gives us, and especially Giannis (Antetokounmpo), is unique.”
Strong words! Plus some insight that Brook fits into Doc’s plans.
Lopez, 36, was not necessarily under the spotlight for his production, even if he only just finished his last Game 6 drive against the Indiana Pacers yesterday. Indeed, he posted solid numbers of 12.5 points (.485/.366/.821), 5.2 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game, providing a steady scoring hand on offense and an actual center on defense.
Rather, as reviewed here, he was set to make a tasty $23 million this upcoming season. Offloading his salary (potentially alongside other players and/or picks, cough cough MarJon cough) would have allowed the Bucks to limbo under the second or even the first tax apron and collect the requisite prizes for doing so.
Alas, it seems like Milwaukee thought that apron-ducking was not worth the price of parting from their big man, whom they apparently want to keep until his retirement. Given his continued production, I’m inclined to agree. Barring future movement (e.g., bundling Portis and Connaughton), the Bucks will remain above the second apron, leaving them only able to offer minimum contracts… to their currently zero open roster spots.
Source link : https://www.brewhoop.com/2024/7/26/24201573/report-brook-lopez-trade-milwaukee-bucks
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Publish date : 2024-07-26 20:55:42
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