It is the end of an era for Milwaukee Bucks basketball. Back in 2018, the team brought in Mike Budenholzer as the head coach to replace Jason Kidd and help elevate the Bucks to true contenders. And he did, winning 60 games in his first year at the helm.
Of course, the play of Giannis Antetokounmpo was a big reason for Milwaukee’s newfound success. But it was also the contributions of the players around him that helped the Bucks reach a level that they had not seen in decades.
And one of those key contributors was Brook Lopez, who also joined Milwaukee that same year.
Brook Lopez Reinvented Himself with the Milwaukee Bucks
Brook Lopez, Milwaukee Bucks
Feb 25, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez (11) reacts after a play during the third quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Lopez was originally drafted by the Brooklyn Nets in the first round of the 2008 NBA Draft. After averaging 13.0 points and 8.1 rebounds a game in his first season, he finished third in Rookie of the Year voting, the start of what would be a solid tenure in Brooklyn. In fact, despite numerous stars that have played for the franchise before and since, he is still their all-time leading scorer.
But the first eight seasons of his NBA career saw him playing a very different style of basketball than the one Bucks fans grew accustomed to seeing. He was not a three point shooter by any stretch of the imagination, instead relying on shots close to the basket to score his points.
In fact, he did not start taking three point shots on a regular basis until the 2016-17 season, his ninth year in the league.
After nine years with the Nets, Lopez spent a season with the Los Angeles Lakers. And after that season, he signed with the Bucks, starting a seven-year stint in Milwaukee that would see him become one of the best three-point shooting centers in the NBA.
In those seven seasons, Lopez shot 36% from three, finished in the top-ten of Defensive Player of the Year voting twice, made multiple All-NBA Defense teams, and helped the Bucks win the 2021 NBA Finals.
Former Milwaukee Bucks Center Brook Lopez Has Signed with the Los Angeles Clippers
Milwaukee Bucks, Brook Lopez, Los Angeles Clippers
Feb 20, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez (11) dunks the ball against LA Clippers center Ivica Zubac (40) in the second half at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images
But all good things must come to an end. On the first day of NBA free agency, Lopez signed a two-year $18 million contract with the Los Angeles Clippers:
Free agent center Brook Lopez has agreed to a two-year, $18 million deal with the Los Angeles Clippers, sources tell ESPN. Clippers and Lopez’s agents at Wasserman negotiate a new deal for the 2021 Bucks champion to exit Milwaukee and land in Los Angeles. pic.twitter.com/vmxiXtoGqu
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2025
Over the past few seasons, Lopez’s slow style of play became a detriment to Milwaukee’s overall team defense. While he is still an elite rim protector, he simply was too slow for the Bucks to employ in their scheme any longer.
It really is a shame, too. Lopez is a great teammate and model professional. It would not be surprising in the least if the Bucks decide to hang his number 11 in the rafters when he does decide to call it a career.
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