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[Saba Sports News] With PJ Tucker and Jrue Holiday already in new uniforms, another starter from the Milwaukee Bucks’ 2021 title team could be next to leave.
Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer reported this week that the Bucks are considering a more versatile defensive style next year. This raises questions about center Brook Lopez’s future in Milwaukee, according to O’Connor.
Lopez, a former All-Star, has been crucial for the Bucks since joining in 2018. His three-point shooting spaces the floor for Giannis Antetokounmpo, and he remains one of the league’s top interior defenders, making the All-Defensive First Team in 2023.
However, Lopez’s defensive impact is mainly in the paint as the anchor of the Bucks’ drop coverage scheme. This scheme can be vulnerable to skilled off-the-dribble scorers like Jayson Tatum, Donovan Mitchell, Jalen Brunson, Tyrese Maxey, and Tyrese Haliburton.
At 36, Lopez lacks the foot speed to switch onto the perimeter off pick-and-rolls, a skill Milwaukee seems to be prioritizing. Entering the final year of his contract in 2024-25, Lopez might be a prime trade candidate. He recently drew interest from a notable Western Conference team.