Houston Rockets: 5 bargain targets during 2018 NBA free agency

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1. Brook Lopez, C — Los Angeles Lakers (unrestricted)

Another backup plan in case the asking price becomes too high for Clint Capela is former All-Star center, Brook Lopez. The Stanford product just finished the final year on his contract as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers and could be willing to take a pay cut to join a contending team.

Lopez saw his production drop off in a big way this season, but it was not entirely his own fault. He averaged his lowest scoring total since his rookie year at 13.0 points per game but also played a career-low 23.4 minutes per game. The Lakers preferred smaller lineups this season as they tried to give their young players more experience after making the playoffs was out of the question.

The former lottery pick will be looking to prove that he’s still a starting center in the NBA while competing for a championship in the process. One area he’ll have to improve on is his ability to get rebounds. Last season he averaged just 4.0 rebounds per game, which is fairly embarrassing for a seven-footer at the NBA level.

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Despite his lack of aggressiveness on the boards, Lopez can help the Rockets with his ability to set hard screens, protect the rim defensively, and even stretch the floor with his 3-point stroke. Lopez’s down season could make him a bargain on the free agent market and could slot as Mike D’Antoni’s starting center next season.

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