5. Brook Lopez
The Sacramento Kings are in need of a center to complement Bagley as he transitions to playing the position. Brook Lopez is an effective big to partner with a strong inside player, as seen with his partnership on the Milwaukee Bucks with Giannis Antetokounmpo. Bagley and Lopez’s skill-sets would complement each other nicely.
Lopez averaged 12.5 points and 4.9 rebounds in 28.7 minutes per game. However, the skills that should intrigue the Kings are his shot-blocking and 3-point shooting. Lopez averaged 2.2 blocks and took 6.3 triples per game, making 36.5 percent of them. He took an astounding 65.1 percent of his shots this season from outside the arc.
The Fresno native would provide the Kings with a big man who can protect the paint and stretch the floor. His age and potential contract fit the Kings’ timeline well. Lopez is 31 and could provide veteran leadership to youngsters such as Bagley and Harry Giles. Specifically, he could help Bagley improve as a 3-point shooter.
It is unlikely Lopez will receive long-term contract offers given his age. If the Bucks don’t offer enough due to their many other free agents that need to be taken care of, the Kings could get him on a short-term contract and have him act as a bridge at the center position until Bagley hopefully becomes a star. Furthermore, Lopez could take the minutes that Cauley-Stein’s potential exit would open up.