Expect Brook Lopez to remain with the Los Angeles Lakers

Despite wavering playing time and career low statistics, don’t expect the Los Angeles Lakers to trade Brook Lopez or buy him out from his contract.

Coming into the 2017-18 NBA regular season, Brook Lopez was considered the best player on the Los Angeles Lakers roster. Lopez averaged 18.9 points a game for his career coming into this season, recently adding a 3-point shot to his post game to fit more with the modern NBA.

His diverse offense game made him an obvious fit next to the Lakers’ young team, with him being a reliable bucket-getter in the half court while spacing the floor for teammates to drive and run the offense. But Lopez has fallen victim to a crowded, talented frontcourt, and has seen his playing time, as well as other stats, reach career lows.

Lopez is averaging career lows in minutes per game (21.1), points per game (12.0), field goal percentage (44.0 percent) and rebounds per game (3.8), excluding the 2011-12 season where he only appeared in five games.

He rarely appears in fourth quarters with coach Walton opting for the younger bigs or the game being too far out of hand to warrant playing Lopez that late in games. Lopez has gone from an offensive centerpiece with the Brooklyn Nets to the less played big in a four-man frontcourt rotation.

I’m sure Lopez understands why he’s taken a backseat this season, but it’s impressive how Lopez has kept his emotions in check (outside of burying his head in a towel against Orlando) and that he hasn’t pushed for a trade or buyout. He’s a 10-year veteran that has never made a postseason run, yet there are no reports he’s actively trying to play elsewhere.

For starters, the Lakers have been seeking trade partners for netting expiring contracts in return. So trading Lopez, who’s on an expiring deal, makes little sense. Offloading one of those contracts won’t happen unless they are blown away by a deal or are offered an expiring contract attached to draft picks — something I don’t see happening for Lopez.

The other way to leave the Lakers is seeking a contract buyout, which would allow him to pick a team to join if he clears waivers. Lopez would see his $22 million contract fully paid, then choose where he wants to play for the rest of the season.

Playoff-bound teams enjoy plucking these serviceable players who are bought out of their contracts. Teams have done this more frequently in recent seasons as a way to add talent in the middle of the season for the league-minimum salary. This helps teams bring players into their mix without trading assets or being limited in roster moves via the salary cap.

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But we haven’t heard a word from Brook Lopez’s camp in regards to seeking a contract buyout. I’m not sure the market for a bench big man that can’t switch on the perimeter defensively will be crazy, so maybe staying in his hometown of Los Angeles and riding out this season is best for Lopez.

Barring massive injury, Lopez probably won’t see an increase minutes on a new team, and it doesn’t seem that moving somewhere for two months for limited playing time interests him. If it does, he keeps a great poker face and should voice his desires.

His playing time has increased in recent games, however, and the Lakers are playing some really good basketball, going 10-4 since Jan. 6. Yes, they are still far back in the playoff race, but it’s easier to stay positive in a frustrating situation when the team shows improvements like it has.

Brook Lopez understands his situation. The Lakers have three talented frontcourt players that need playing time and fit coach Walton’s system. Lopez knows giving them as many repetitions as possible is best for their development and the future of the franchise.

Next: 2018 NBA Draft big board: End of January

Lopez could help a contender that lacks a bench scoring threat, but I don’t see what perfect fit is out there. I expect, and hope, that Lopez isn’t traded nor bought out, finishes this season with the Lakers and assesses his future as an unrestricted free agent in the offseason.