Bucks’ \$23M Big Man Tipped to Join Lakers to Fix Frontcourt Woes

The Los Angeles Lakers’ 2024–25 season ended abruptly and unexpectedly on Wednesday night, as they were eliminated in Game 5 of the first round of the NBA Playoffs by the Minnesota Timberwolves. One of the major concerns that plagued the Lakers throughout the series was their lack of frontcourt depth. Center Jaxson Hayes struggled to make a meaningful impact, forcing the team to play small lineups for much of the matchup. This exposed a glaring weakness in the Lakers’ rotation and highlighted the need for a reliable and experienced big man moving forward.

In response to this issue, Stephen Noh of The Sporting News has speculated that Milwaukee Bucks veteran center Brook Lopez could be a prime offseason target for the Lakers. While Lopez is now 37 and not as mobile as he once was, he remains a valuable asset. Noh noted that Lopez started 80 games for a strong Bucks squad this season but faced challenges in the playoffs due to his declining footspeed. Despite this, he still offers immense value as a rim protector and floor spacer, shooting an impressive 37 percent from beyond the arc last season.

Lopez, who was instrumental in Milwaukee’s 2021 championship run, brings elite shot-blocking and spacing capabilities that could perfectly complement LeBron James. Noh suggests that the combination of Lopez and LeBron could anchor a formidable backline defense for the Lakers. Given his defensive accolades—he finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting just three seasons ago—Lopez could be a smart, low-risk addition to strengthen L.A.’s frontcourt.