To start the 2024-25 season, the Lakers had two famous person gamers. LeBron James and Anthony Davis. On the commerce deadline, Los Angeles parted methods with Davis to amass All-NBA PG Luka Doncic.
The Lakers are in the course of a transition from LeBron James being their franchise participant to Luka Doncic. James is coming into his twenty third season, and Doncic remains to be solely 26 years previous. This offseason, there are studies that James is sad with the Lakers’ entrance workplace. There’s “uncertainty” that James will stay with the Lakers. That’s why free agent heart Brook Lopez signed with the Clippers over the Lakers this offseason.
LeBron James’ dispute with the Lakers value them a free-agent heart
Welcome to #ClipperNation, Brook Lopez 👏 pic.twitter.com/ZcJymgAxTQ
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) July 6, 2025
One of many largest wants for the Lakers forward of the 2025-26 season was discovering depth at heart. Los Angeles had an curiosity in a number of targets this offseason. That included free agent and NBA champion Brook Lopez. He performed and began 80 of 82 video games for the Bucks in 2024-25. It was Lopez’s seventeenth skilled season and seventh with Milwaukee. The Lakers had been trying to find a starting-caliber heart to pair with Luka Doncic.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst and Ramona Shelbourne had a narrative on why Lopez didn’t select the Lakers. The pair famous that Lopez “strongly thought of” the Lakers this offseason. Nevertheless, he selected to signal with the Clippers resulting from LeBron James’ “uncertainty” with the staff. Some analysts imagine James might be passed by the tip of subsequent season. Whether or not that be by way of a commerce or free company.
Brook Lopez has performed 78+ video games in every of the final 3 seasons whereas taking pictures 37% from deep in all of em together with a primary staff all-defense nomination
He’s coming off a season averaging:
13.0 PTS
5.0 REB
1.8 AST
0.6 STL
1.9 BLKLatest Clipper👀 pic.twitter.com/RCUsIegBwr
— clippa twitta (@clipfullyloaded) June 30, 2025
With that information, Brook Lopez determined to signal with the Clippers as a backup. He bought a two-year, $18 take care of Los Angeles. It will likely be the primary time shortly that he comes off the bench. Ivica Zubac is the beginning heart for the Clippers. Additionally they acquired PF John Collins this offseason. Lopez will likely be a strong depth piece within the frontcourt off the bench in 2025-26. The Lakers would have beloved to have Lopez.
As a substitute, they acquired Deandre Ayton, who grew to become a free agent this offseason. Ayton had the ultimate yr of his contract purchased out by the Path Blazers. He was the one high quality heart left available on the market. Lately, Ayton signed a two-year, $16.2 million contract with the Lakers. He has a 2026-27 participant possibility value $8.1 million. Groups across the league will carefully monitor LeBron James’ state of affairs in LA to see if they might lure him away. Even when James leaves, the Lakers have a face of the franchise in Luka Doncic.
