NBA: 10 players certain to regress in 2019-20

5. Brook Lopez, Milwaukee Bucks

Brook Lopez enjoyed a career renaissance last year and was rewarded handsomely for it in the offseason. He proved the perfect complement to Giannis Antetokounmpo by protecting the rim on defense and stretching the floor on offense.

At 31 years old and with lots of miles and several injuries in the rearview mirror, the Bucks are hoping against hope that “Splash Mountain” can keep up his outstanding shooting.

Last season was Lopez’s highest 2-point field goal shooting campaign ever; he shot 61.3 percent from two on a miniscule 3.4 attempts per game. Coupled with his dramatic increase in 3-point attempt rate, Lopez managed to record a 59.7 percent True Shooting Percentage.

Milwaukee has added more 3-point shooters this summer, so it is entirely possible for Lopez to maintain his unusual shot distribution. What should give us pause, though, is the likely decline in performance associated with an aging center. Lopez’s rebounding rate has dropped in recent seasons, and his athleticism has continued a predictable downward descent.