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The Milwaukee Bucks were one of the good stories in the NBA this season, with a 41-41 regular season record and a playoff berth in Jason Kidd’s first season as coach. That happened despite having 2014 second overall pick Jabari Parker for just 25 games before he suffered a torn left ACL, so the future is clearly bright for the Bucks.
Brook Lopez finished the regular season strongly this year, averaging 21.1 points, 9.4 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game over the final 22 games. That was highlighted by a particularly productive 13-game stretch, where he made over 59 percent of his field goals and scored 30 or more points six times as the Brooklyn Nets made a late push for a playoff spot.
Lopez has a $16.7 million player option in his contract for next season, but he has remained non-committal about what he will decide to do. For what it’s worth the Nets reportedly intend to retain him no matter what, but Gery Woelfel of the Racine Journal Times suggests that if Lopez decides to opt out the Bucks will have interest.
Kidd coached Lopez in Brooklyn during the 2013-14 season, and the two are thought to have a good relationship. Milwaukee also has a clear need at center, with Larry Sanders gone and Zaza Pachulia a less-than stellar option if he has to be relied on as a starter for very long. The Bucks also should have enough salary cap space to make Lopez a lucrative long-term offer, depending on any other offseason moves they might make, so the fit on both sides looks clear.
Khris Middleton is coming off a breakout season for the Bucks , and he will be a restricted free agent this offseason. Milwaukee can match any offer Middleton receives, but a decision to retain him could become difficult if Lopez is available. Middleton’s production (13.4 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game over 79 regular season games; 40.7 percent from three-point range) could be replaced or surpassed by a healthy Parker going forward, so I think the Bucks could easily choose to move on if Middleton gets an overly-inflated offer from another team.
The Bucks have the potential to become a legit contender in the Eastern Conference next season, even if they don’t add anyone of note via free agency or trade. But Lopez brings experience (414 regular season games, 13 playoff games) with relative youth (27 years old), and his best basketball could still be on the horizon if his past foot issues are behind him.
If he becomes available, signing Lopez should be the Bucks’ No. 1 offseason priority. If he lands with the group of rising young players that is being built, led by Parker and Giannis Antetokounmpo, we could see Milwaukee become an underrated destination for other players in short order.
Brad Berreman is a Senior Writer at Rant Sports.com. Follow him on Twitter.
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