Report: Rockets Warned Brook Lopez About Possible Trade by Bucks
According to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, the Milwaukee Bucks are currently assessing the trade market for Brook Lopez. The Houston Rockets, who attempted to sign Lopez last summer, had cautioned him about this potential scenario.
“League insiders informed Yahoo Sports that the Bucks are considering reshaping their roster and are exploring trade options for Brook Lopez,” Fischer reported. “Sources say the Rockets warned Lopez that re-signing with Milwaukee could result in a future trade when they pursued him during last year’s free agency.”
Lopez is set to earn $23 million next season, which is the final year of his contract. The Bucks were eliminated by the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the 2024 playoffs, losing in six games.
In the 2023-24 season, Lopez played in 79 games for the Bucks, averaging 12.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.5 steals, and 2.4 blocks per game, with shooting percentages of 48.5% from the field, 36.6% from three-point range, and 82.1% from the free-throw line. A former All-Star, Lopez was instrumental in the Bucks’ 2021 NBA Championship win over the Phoenix Suns and has career averages of 16.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.6 steals, and 1.9 blocks, having also played for the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Lakers.
Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer suggested that the Bucks trade Lopez to the Toronto Raptors for Bruce Brown, who is also expected to be traded. “There are indications that the Bucks aim to adopt a more versatile defensive strategy next season, which raises doubts about Brook Lopez’s future with the team,” O’Connor wrote. “Swapping Lopez for Brown aligns well salary-wise, and the Raptors could subsequently trade Lopez. Brown’s screening and cutting abilities would greatly complement Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard.”
Brown has a team option worth $23 million for the upcoming season, and the Raptors are likely to exercise this option and then trade him.
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