Bucks GM Clarifies Brook Lopez’s Future
The Milwaukee Bucks have seen significant changes over the past year. They fired coach Mike Budenholzer, who led them to their first championship in 50 years, and made a major trade to acquire Damian Lillard from the Portland Trail Blazers, subsequently sending Jrue Holiday to the Boston Celtics.
Adrian Griffin, Budenholzer’s replacement, was also fired mid-season and replaced by Doc Rivers. Despite these moves, the Bucks were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Indiana Pacers, with injuries to Giannis Antetokounmpo and Lillard playing a role in their early exit.
This offseason, the pressing question has been the Bucks’ future direction. While there were minor roster changes, none were significant enough to overhaul the aging team. One prominent trade rumor involved center Brook Lopez, but general manager Jon Horst has now clarified Lopez’s status.
Brook Lopez Stays with the Bucks
Horst confirmed that Lopez will remain with the Bucks for at least another season, emphasizing his importance to the team. Since joining in 2018, Lopez has been a vital player, averaging 13.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game, and establishing himself as a top two-way center in the NBA.
Despite Lopez’s expiring $23 million contract and his value as a potential trade asset, Horst stated in an article in The Athletic that the team has no plans to trade him. “Brook is so core to who we are, we have zero intentions of trading Brook. He’s a core part of our team. We’ve got a starting group now that we think is as good as anybody and we look forward to seeing how this team plays throughout the year,” Horst said.
As an aging center with limited mobility, Lopez’s fit outside of a drop defensive scheme is uncertain. Rivers will need to determine how best to utilize Lopez on the floor and manage his playing time. Nevertheless, Lopez has anchored one of the NBA’s best defenses during his time in Milwaukee, and Horst is committed to giving him at least one more season with the Bucks. Rivers will be tasked with optimizing his role and contribution to the team’s success.
