NBA Trade Rumors: Lakers Eye Bucks’ Brook Lopez amid LeBron James, Klay Thompson Buzz

As the Los Angeles Lakers explore ways to improve talent around stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis this offseason, a trade for a veteran center is reportedly under consideration.

According to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, in addition to pursuing Klay Thompson in free agency, the Lakers “have an eye on trading for” Milwaukee Bucks big man Brook Lopez.

In his sixth season in Milwaukee, Lopez continued to perform at a high level with averages of 12.5 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.4 blocks while starting all 79 of his appearances. Los Angeles has been searching for a true center to pair with Davis for quite some time, and the 36-year-old defensive ace would undoubtedly fit that mold.

The Lakers have multiple players that they would be willing to include in deals this offseason, as Fischer noted that they “have also been exploring trade scenarios with the contracts of D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt and Gabe Vincent.” He described Lopez as “one of the primary options on the Lakers’ board of hopeful acquisitions.”

Los Angeles’ plans for this offseason will be contingent on how things play out with James, who declined his $51.4 million player option for the 2023-24 season in order to negotiate a new deal with the team. ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reported that the 39-year-old is willing to accept a pay cut if it gives the Lakers a better chance of adding one of the top players on the open market this offseason.

“The type of player that James would be willing to make a financial sacrifice for would be an established veteran playmaker like James Harden or Klay Thompson, or an established big man to play alongside Anthony Davis — like Jonas Valančiūnas,” McMenamin stated.

Adding Lopez would give the Lakers a player with championship experience who can boost their chances of competing for an NBA title next season.