The Los Angeles Lakers have already been linked to several starting-level centers that they may go after this offseason. Among them are Nic Claxton of the Brooklyn Nets and Daniel Gafford of the Dallas Mavericks, and it was recently revealed that prior to the trade deadline in February, they called the Atlanta Hawks about Onyeka Okongwu, a young and hard-working big man.
Another possible target is Brook Lopez, a veteran center who is currently with the Milwaukee Bucks and spent the 2017-18 season with the Lakers. He will become a free agent this summer, and one NBA executive reportedly believes the Lakers have already had contact with him.
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According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, the Lakers, as well as the Golden State Warriors, are expected to go after Lopez.
Lopez averaged 13.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.9 blocks a game this season while shooting 50.9% from the field and 37.3% from 3-point range this season. He could space the floor offensively and protect the rim defensively for Los Angeles, and while he doesn’t grab a lot of rebounds, he does consistently box out, which helps his teammates get rebounds.
However, he’s 37 years of age, and his production will fall off a cliff at any time. At best, he would be a one-year stopgap solution for a Lakers team that badly needs a viable center and more frontcourt size, as well as overall youth, speed and athleticism.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Insider: Lakers will show interest in veteran center in free agency