Why Brook Lopez Affected Rockets Free Agency So Much
The Houston Rockets had a wacky free agency as the team with the most cap space in the NBA.
Their position atop the cap space leaderboard had every top free agent linked to them, including Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez, who nearly agreed to a deal with the Rockets.
However, he opted to stick with his original Milwaukee Bucks team as they compete for a championship again in 2024. However, Lopez's decision to not come to Houston set off a domino effect for the rest of the Rockets' free agency run.
"Houston thought they really had a strong chance to get Lopez," HoopsHype said. "Brooks ended up getting more money. Jeff Green originally agreed to a one-year, $6 million deal. Then, once the Lopez talks fell through, there was a follow-up conversation after the initial agreement and a scenario where it was pitched that he could do a longer deal (two years, $16 million), and that’s how he ended up getting a little bit more money on the front end."
Not only did Lopez's deal falling through affect the rest of the Rockets' free agency, but it also shakes up the makeup of the team. Without Lopez in the depth chart, the team signed Jock Landale to a contract to backup Alperen Sengun, who appears to be the sure-fire starter.
Sengun started last year and flashed major potential as a playmaking center, but struggles slightly on the defensive end. That's why Lopez made sense for the Rockets. However, Sengun has a higher ceiling on offense and can develop his defense along the way.
You can follow Jeremy Brener on Twitter @JeremyBrener.
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