Free Agency: Robin Lopez may have suitors outside Portland

Portland Trail Blazers free agent center Robin Lopez will not be in extraordinarily high demand this summer. His season spent hampered by a broken hand, in which his numbers dropped all across the board, was capped off by an underwhelming performance in the playoffs. Thankfully, this could make it easier for the Trail Blazers to re-sign him, but will they? He has stated that he would like to remain in Portland, but with LaMarcus Aldridge and Wesley Matthews to consider first, there are too many potentially moving pieces to make any guarantees at this time.

Even though Lopez’s stock is down, there are still teams out there that could put pressure on the Trail Blazers by presenting Lopez with a substantial offer sheet. Lopez, 27, is unrestricted, so the contract he accepts is ultimately his decision. The Trail Blazers cannot count on him deciding to stay if someone else is willing to offer more money or more years. Starting caliber centers will always have bidders.

So who might make a run at Lopez while the Trail Blazers are in free agency limbo? There are a handful of gifted centers that will be available this year, so we are likely looking at teams in need that swing and miss on more attractive prospects, or teams that cannot hope to draw such prospects to their market in the first place. Guys like DeAndre Jordan, Greg Monroe, and Brook Lopez are among those likely to change hands, but teams outside the fray, by choice or otherwise, will look toward more humble means. Teams like…

The Milwaukee Bucks

Nov 20, 2013; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks center Zaza Pachulia (27) tries to knock the ball away from Portland Trail Blazers center Robin Lopez (42) during the third quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

The sudden retirement of Larry Sanders left a gaping hole in Milwaukee’s frontline. Sanders was considered one of the best rim protectors in the league before he decided it was time for a vocational change, and the Bucks will be hard pressed to lure someone of equal or greater talent up to Wisconsin. They survived admirably with Zaza Pachulia and John Henson filling in, but they could certainly use a traditional rim protector again so that Henson can return to his natural power forward position and Pachulia can return to the bench.

Lopez has never required heavy minutes. He is an ideal fit for Head Coach Jason Kidd’s deep rotation philosophy. The Bucks have plenty of room to bring Lopez in, too. Interestingly enough, any offer that includes more than $8 million in the first year would make him the highest paid player on the roster, just ahead of O.J. Mayo. Since the Bucks added Michael Carter-Williams in February and will likely get Jabari Parker back this fall, they are primed to make a huge impact in the East if they can piece together their frontcourt puzzle.

The Dallas Mavericks

Feb 7, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks center Tyson Chandler (6) guards Portland Trail Blazers center Robin Lopez (42) during the game at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeated the Trail Blazers 111-101 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The Mavericks sit atop the list of teams that may pursue the aforementioned Jordan in free agency, but only one team will have the opportunity to sign him. If they let the 32 year old Tyson Chandler walk in favor of pursuing an up-and-comer, they need a Plan B ready to go if Plan A falls flat. After Tim Duncan and Marc Gasol, who are both anticipated to stay put, Lopez might be the best defensive center left in free agency, which is exactly what the Mavericks need. He would make a strong contingency reservation.

Dirk Nowitzki, now 85 at least, is slated to play one more season in Dallas with an option for another in 2016-17. The team needs to pair him with a rim protector at all times. Lopez is not a bad option in this regard by any stretch of the imagination. By signing Lopez, the Mavericks could even save good money for other roster needs. They only have four players officially on the books as it stands, and they will surely need a new point guard when Rajon Rondo leaves.

The New York Knicks

Feb 5, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Portland Trailblazers small forward Dorell Wright (1) controls the ball as Portland Trailblazers center Robin Lopez (42) is called for an offensive foul on New York Knicks shooting guard Iman Shumpert (21) during the fourth quarter of a game at Madison Square Garden. The Trailblazers defeated the Knicks 94-90. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Typically, the Knicks can attract talent with the bright lights of New York alone, but this was an atypical year for them—their worst ever, actually. I strongly suspect that they will pick up Monroe and play him at power forward if they are able to find a suitable rim protector to add as well. Supposing that Karl-Anthony Towns and Jahlil Okafor are taken by the time the Knicks draft at no. 4, they will look to throw money at free agents that can be bought at a slight overpay. Lopez, then, would be a great fit.

Suddenly, a team that only won 17 games in 2014-15 could be respectable in the East. President of Basketball Operations Phil Jackson has abandoned the triangle offense, so there is little concern of over-complicating Lopez’s offensive role. Just putting Lopez out there with some star forwards and a few burgeoning guards (note Langston Galloway) would yield truly massive gains for the team.

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