How should the Los Angeles Lakers handle Brook Lopez going forward?

With Brook Lopez entering free agency at the end of the season and part of a crowded frontcourt, how should the Los Angeles Lakers use their big man going forward?

Brook Lopez’s inaugural season with the Los Angeles Lakers is off to slow a start with the big man’s production down and the team 2-4 after six games. The losing record was to be expected with the Lakers not expected to make the playoffs, but Lopez isn’t scoring at his typical rate.

With a crowded frontcourt and Lopez being a free agent after the season, how should the Lakers approach their starting center the rest of the season?

Lopez is averaging career lows in points (12.3 per game), field goal percentage (39 percent) and rebounds (5.3 per game) in this small sample size with the Lakers. It should be noted that Lopez missed most of the preseason after nursing back spasms from the offseason, but he’s started every game this season. Despite getting open looks, his 3-point efficiency is down to 25 percent on 3.3 attempts a game.

As a fan of what Lopez brings to the Lakers, numbers this low are something to keep an eye on moving forward in the season as he works himself into game shape. The looks and spacing will be there in most lineups on the court, so hopefully he returns to old form. If he doesn’t and the team continues its losing ways, a change of role for Lopez shouldn’t be out of the question.

The Lakers start Larry Nance Jr. next to Lopez in the frontcourt, forming a duo with spacing questions on the offensive end. Lopez hasn’t shot the ball well and Nance Jr.’s jumper is a work in progress. Combine this with their inability to beat defenders off the dribble and it makes sense why the Lakers rank 29^th in the NBA with 56.0 points a game from their starters.

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On the other hand, their bench is third in the league with 45.8 points a game led by Jordan Clarkson and the young frontcourt of Julius Randle and Kyle Kuzma. Randle and Kuzma are more suited for the modern NBA than Lopez and Nance Jr., with Kuzma’s sharp play having him fourth on the team with 27.6 in minutes er game, ahead of both starting big men.

Another interesting aspect of this has been the minute distribution in favor of Randle and Kuzma over Lopez in the fourth quarter. The younger duo has been on the court for multiple comeback attempts in the final frame, giving head coach Luke Walton no choice but to ride the young players. Lopez hasn’t appeared in two separate fourth quarters, and averages only 5.3 minutes in the fourth, the lowest mark of any quarter for him.

This brings me to a suggestion if Lopez’s struggles continue: start Randle or Kuzma (Randle preferably) with Nance Jr. and bring Lopez off the bench with the other. Staggering Nance Jr. and Lopez’s minutes would be ideal for both in terms of spacing. Lopez could get all the post touches he wants for eight-minute stretches and would have clear mismatches on most opposing backup bigs.

A trend around the NBA in recent seasons has been to cater bench units around a low-post scoring threat and allow him to carry an offense for stretches. This has worked in the past with Greg Monroe, Al Jefferson and Zach Randolph coming immediately to mind, and could be one approach to take down to the road. I know Lopez can shoot from the perimeter, but he’s more dominant when getting touches in the post.

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A final and more severe option would be to find a trade partner for him near the trade deadline if the Lakers are out of the playoff picture and contending teams need a big man. Like I said earlier, I really like Lopez’s game and the veteran presence he gives the Lakers, but if they think Lopez walks in the summer, testing the market and seeing if he can yield a draft pick is the best way to go.

I would be shocked if the Lakers actually followed through on any trade involving Lopez, though. He’s a good fit into what the Lakers want to do offensively in terms of spacing the floor if he makes his 3s, and could be brought back if the Lakers miss out on the big-name free agents. Maybe getting him more touches could get help him find his rhythm.

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We should remember it’s very early into the NBA season and a greater sample size is needed to make accurate assessments. Brook Lopez is talented enough to break out at any moment and carry the Lakers to a couple wins. But if he doesn’t find his stride and Kuzma and Randle keep showing signs, options should be explored on what to do with Lopez.