Brook Lopez Reportedly Passed on Lakers Contract Due to LeBron James’ ‘Uncertainty’
The Los Angeles Lakers came close to signing veteran big man Brook Lopez, but the deal reportedly fell through due to Lopez’s concerns about the uncertainty surrounding LeBron James’ contract situation.
“They were one of the finalists for Brook Lopez, we were all surprised they didn’t get Brook Lopez,” ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne said on NBA Today .
“From what I understand, the uncertainty around LeBron James’ situation—that that quote caused, that we’ve all been talking about for three days since the quote was issued—has factored into Brook Lopez’s decision.”
Lopez is coming off a solid season, averaging 13 points, 5 rebounds and 1.8 assists in his seventh year with the Milwaukee Bucks. The 37-year-old, 7’1″ center would have been an ideal fit for the Lakers’ “win-now” approach, addressing their glaring need for a reliable presence in the paint.
“LeBron wants to compete for a championship,” James’ agent Rich Paul told ESPN . “He knows the Lakers are building for the future. He understands that, but he values a realistic chance of winning it all. We are very appreciative of the partnership that we’ve had for eight years with Jeanie [Buss] and Rob [Pelinka] and consider the Lakers as a critical part of his career.”
“We understand the difficulty in winning now while preparing for the future. We do want to evaluate what’s best for LeBron at this stage in his life and career. He wants to make every season he has left count, and the Lakers understand that, are supportive and want what’s best for him.”
With Milwaukee’s title window fading and Lopez seeking a new opportunity, the Lakers appeared to be a logical landing spot—until uncertainty around James’ contract reportedly gave Lopez pause. And once James officially picked up his $52.6 million player option for next season on Sunday, that door seemed to shut on the veteran big man.
Lopez ultimately signed a two-year, $18 million deal with the Lakers’ cross-town rivals, the Los Angeles Clippers—adding another veteran presence to a roster already built to contend in the West.
“Look, Brook Lopez is a starting center in the NBA. He chose a backup role with the Los Angeles Clippers. Yeah, I think it was a little more money, but when they did Jake LaRavia first, they could have gotten Brook if they would have prioritized Brook,” Shelburne said.