According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Los Angeles Lakers are wanting to upgrade their center position with some veteran talent and leadership. This has drawn their attention to players like Brook Lopez.

In addition to targeting Lopez, other players such as Clint Capela and Al Horford have caught their attention. Rob Pelinka has made it his mission to give added security to the front court and make both Luka Doncic and LeBron James happy.

All three players are unrestricted free agents this offseason, so Los Angeles will not have to sacrifice pieces to acquire one of them through a trade.

Capela’s future with the Atlanta Hawks seems over due to them trading for Kristaps Porzingis and selecting Asa Newell in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft.

Horford may look to move on with the team going in a different direction financially and wanting to get younger. The Boston Celtics continue to navigate through their salary cap and luxury tax messes.

Same can be applied to the Milwaukee Bucks, as they want to get younger and free up themselves up financially.

“There’s names like Brook Lopez, Clint Capela, Al Horford out there in free agency,” said Shams Charania on Get Up. “Will it be that route or the trade route? That’s what everyone in L.A. and everyone around the league is waiting on.”

Los Angeles’ current center room consists of Dorian Finney-Smith, Maxi Kleber, Jaxson Hayes, and Alex Len.

Bucks Potentially Trading Brook Lopez This Summer

According to The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor, the Milwaukee Bucks may be looking to trade Brook Lopez for several reasons this offseason.

With Doc Rivers taking over, Milwaukee could switch schemes and want to play a more versatile defense style. This would most definitely mean an exit for the former champion, but it’s not the only reason. Age and contract status is another concern for management.

The 36-year-old is in the final year of his contract, which sees him making $23 million.

Brook Lopez Was Set To Sign With Rockets Last Offseason

Before he decided to re-sign with the Milwaukee Bucks, the Houston Rockets were so close to signing Brook Lopez.

Sources told Bobby Marks of ESPN, last offseason was between Milwaukee and Houston; where Lopez was set to sign with the Rockets.

Last offseason was a pivotal one for the Rockets; a lot of veteran free agents from Fred VanVleet to Dillon Brooks to Jock Landale was signed.

Would Landale been a no-go if Lopez was signed? Maybe, maybe not. However, Houston is still doing good without him. If looking beyond the hypotheticals.

Their current center Alperen Sengun is averaging 21.5 points and 9.0 rebounds on the season. 

With all that being said, it is insane to believe Lopez could have left the Bucks for the Rockets. Last offseason was a fun time for both sides.