Quick Bytes
- Lakers eyeing Bucks’ Brook Lopez as a potential addition to support Anthony Davis.
- Bucks demand a first-round pick for 36-year-old Lopez, making teams hesitant.
- Lakers show limited recent interest in trading for Hawks’ Trae Young due to high asking price.
Lakers Consider Brook Lopez Trade Amidst High Bucks’ Asking Price
The Los Angeles Lakers are on the lookout for a robust center to complement Anthony Davis, with Brook Lopez of the Milwaukee Bucks emerging as a strong candidate. Lopez’s defensive prowess and three-point shooting make him an attractive option for the Lakers.
However, the Bucks’ steep asking price of a first-round draft pick for Lopez, who is 36 and on a $23M expiring contract, poses a significant obstacle. Gery Woelfel reports that while the Bucks are open to trading Lopez, the cost is currently deemed excessive by interested teams, including the Lakers. The Lakers would also need to part with rotation players to match salaries, making the inclusion of a first-round pick a tough decision.
While the Bucks may lower their demands over time, they are also comfortable retaining Lopez for his final contract year unless they receive a substantial offer. The Lakers, aiming to enhance their roster, are wary of sacrificing future assets for a short-term solution that doesn’t guarantee championship contention.
In other trade considerations, the Lakers have cooled on pursuing Atlanta Hawks’ Trae Young, with interest dwindling due to a high asking price. The market for Young is currently tepid, with potential for change if the Hawks adjust their expectations.
