All Lakers

Lakers Miss Out on Free Agent Target to Clippers in $18 Million Deal

Noah Camras|
Mar 4, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) gets pressure from Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez (11) and guard Pat Connaughton (24) in the third quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
Mar 4, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) gets pressure from Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez (11) and guard Pat Connaughton (24) in the third quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images | Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

In this story:

Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers won't be signing Brook Lopez, as the All-Star big man (and former Laker) is signing a two-year, $18 million deal to join the Los Angeles Clippers.

More news: Lakers Could Be Making Trade With Rockets Following Major Free Agent Loss: Report

Lopez has been linked to the Lakers ever since the offseason began, but is now joining a West rival instead, putting additional pressure on L.A. to find a big man in free agency.

The Lakers are in desperate need of a big man after flaming out of last year's postseason against the lengthy Minnesota Timberwolves. After the Lakers' trade for Mark Williams fell through, L.A. patched together a rotation of bigs with Jaxson Hayes and a handful of backups.

Hayes is now a free agent, and the Lakers need to add a big who can complement Luka Doncic. While Lopez isn't exactly the rim-runner type that pairs well with Doncic, he can space the floor and play above-average defense protecting the rim.

More news: Lakers Signing Former First-Round Pick From West Rival in $12 Million Deal

Lopez, 37, is a one-time All-Star, two-time All-Defensive Teamer and one-time NBA champion with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021. Across 80 games in 2024-25, he averaged 13.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists across 31.8 minutes per game.

Lopez spent one season with the Lakers in 2017-18, averaging 13 points and four rebounds per game.

More Lakers News:

Who Is Jake LaRavia? Everything You Need to Know About Newest Lakers Forward

Former Lakers Guard D’Angelo Russell Signs $13 Million Deal With Major Rival

Lakers Lose Dorian Finney-Smith to West Rival in $53 Million Deal

Published | Modified
Noah Camras
NOAH CAMRAS

Noah graduated from USC in 2022 with a B.A. in Journalism and a minor in Sports Media Studies. He is the lead editor for All Lakers. He was born and raised in Los Angeles, and grew up a fan of all LA sports. 

Share on XFollow noahcamras
Home/News