Entering the 2025 NBA offseason, the San Antonio Spurs had three things they needed to address. First, they needed to pick Dylan Harper with the second overall pick. Check.
Second and third, they needed to add a 3-point threat who can defend to round out their wing rotation, and they needed to add a backup center. The Spurs were expected to do one in the draft and the other in free agency.
With the arrival of Carter Bryant, the Spurs have their 3-and-D wing with a high upside, and will turn to the open market to add a center. Candidates like Brook Lopez, Clint Capela, and even Guerschon Yabusele have been floated, although Lopez, with his shot-blocking and floor-spacing prowess, seems like the best option.
However, the Spurs aren't the only team interested in him.
"Numerous rival teams are bracing for the center-craving Los Angeles Lakers to make a run at luring Lopez away from the Bucks," reported NBA insider Jake Fischer. "Even if the Lakers plan to address their center void by pursuing Atlanta's Clint Capela instead or perhaps a target not as frequently discussed, there is a growing belief Lopez will indeed be on the move next week."
While the Spurs can offer more money, LA is a massive media market, boasts stars like Luka Doncic and LeBron James, and the Lakers might be able to offer him more minutes.
In San Antonio, Lopez would be Victor Wembanyama's backup. In Los Angeles, he would start, and on a title-worthy team, that's hard to pass up.
Lopez is far from the only center on the free agent market, although in a bidding war, expect the Silver and Black to fall short.
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