Ranking the 6 best available centers in 2023 NBA free agency

NBA Free Agent Center #2: Brook Lopez

Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez is the oldest player on this list, but he was also one of the most productive. During his age-34 season, he averaged an impressive 15.9 points, 6.7 rebounds, and a career-best 2.5 blocks per game while also shooting a career-high 37.4% from three. At 35, he’ll be an unrestricted free agent and a target for several playoff teams.

However, the Bucks, despite being well over the luxury tax, have his full bird rights and appear likely to bring him back. Although he is nearing the end of his career, they could offer him a 3-year deal in hopes of keeping his yearly salary down while still being able to offer him a significant amount of money.

After making $13.2 million last season, a new deal with the Bucks could be for around 3 years and $45 million. That would be a more than competitive offer, one that only a non-playoff team with significant cap space could match or exceed, and given his age, that appears unlikely to happen.

Additionally, the new CBA will significantly limit many playoff teams, several of whom won’t even have their tax-payer mid-level exception (which starts out at about $7.2 million) to offer Lopez. That means, were he to leave the Bucks, he would potentially be forced to take a significant pay cut, giving Milwaukee a clear advantage.

The only potential roadblocks to him returning to Milwaukee would be the team wanting to get younger at the position or Lopez wanting a change of scenery and being willing to take less to make it happen.