1. Milwaukee Bucks
Thus far, all signs are pointing towards a Lopez return to the Bucks. In addition to his stated desire to return to a team that was just two wins away from reaching the NBA Finals, newly-named NBA Executive of the Year, Jon Horst, also expressed the franchise’s desire for the 11-year veteran to extend his tenure:
"“First and foremost, Brook’s super-important….to the style of play that we have. He helps set a tone for us offensively and defensively, he really gives us an identity.”"
Horst on Brook Lopez:
— Bally Sports Wisconsin (@BallySportWI) June 20, 2019
“There’s a desire to keep Brook here. Brook wants to be here. I think we’ll be creative enough to figure it out.” #FearTheDeer pic.twitter.com/TL733wh7i9
As Horst alluded to in the above clip, the Bucks are going to need to be creative in the coming weeks in order for them to create sufficient space to sign Lopez, along with their other key free agents in Khris Middleton, Malcolm Brogdon and Nikola Mirotic.
A playoff CAREER-HIGH 29 points from Brook!! #FearTheDeer pic.twitter.com/EUfRznOw2J
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) May 16, 2019
Horst recently made a crucial step in attempting to re-sign Lopez by trading forward Tony Snell and the 29th pick in this year’s draft to the Detroit Pistons in exchange for forward Jon Leuer. Not only does the deal save the Bucks $1.9 million in salary next season, but with Leuer coming off the books one year earlier than Snell, this frees up additional cap space in a shorter time frame.
Given the likely demand for Lopez and the Bucks’ own cap restraints, coming to terms on a new deal is going to be far from easy. However, given his incredible fit, and how close the Bucks were last season to going all the way, it’s hard not to see Lopez and the Bucks extending their relationship for the foreseeable future.