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Brook Lopez will be one of the hottest free agents this summer despite being 35 years old. Lopez is coming off the best season of his career, as he was runner-up for Defensive Player of the Year.
The latest NBA rumors indicate that one of the teams interested in Lopez is the Houston Rockets.
according to on ESPN Adrian Wojnarowski, the Milwaukee Bucks may have a hard time offering Lopez the contract he loves. This is where the Rockets and their $60 million cap come in.
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“The Bucks are facing Brooke Lopez free agency,” said Wojnarowski. “There is an expectation that the Houston Rockets, filled with plenty of salary cap space, will be a real threat to Lopez.”
The Houston Rockets are entering the next phase of their rebuilding after selecting Amin Thompson in the 2023 NBA draft. The Rockets need to start winning games and possibly improve on their poor record from last season. They also hire Ime Udoka as head coach, but a veteran voice is needed for the locker room.
Brook Lopez is certainly a veteran player, with tournament experience to help a young team like the Rockets. Lopez is also coming off a season averaging 15.9 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game. He even hit a career-best 37.4% from outside the arc.
Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Bucks may have a hard time paying Lopez due to his cap space issues. They will need to re-sign Khris Middleton, who turned down the player’s $40 million option for next season.
Read also: ‘We’re going to kill them’ – Ossar Thompson looks forward to facing his twin brother Amen Thompson in the NBA Summer League
How does Brooke Lopez fit in in Houston?
Brook Lopez remains one of the best defensive players in the NBA. It is also among the best outfield centers in the league. He will certainly be a valuable asset to the Houston Rockets if they end up signing him in free agency.
Lopez brings experience to a very young squad who will need to take the next step in their development. The only downside to bringing in the veteran position is that it can stunt Alperen Sengun’s growth.
The Turkish prospect had a promising second season, averaging 14.8 points, 9.0 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game.
In his last 10 games of the season, Sengun averaged 15.7 points, 10.9 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.0 blocks. He has a very similar game to Nikola Jokic, who just led the Denver Nuggets to their first NBA championship.
While Sengun doesn’t have a Jokic cap, he could develop into one of the better big men in the league. He can bounce and pass, while his shooting and shots need to be developed.
Read also: “Paul George is definitely available” — NBA insider says Los Angeles Clippers are actively looking to transfer the eight-time All-Star
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