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Last updated: 9/30/2019
Last updated: 9/30/2019
Last updated: 9/30/2019
2022 Free Agents - Robin Lopez
Summary
Despite not having great offensive skills or great athleticism, Lopez has been able to stay in the league as a solid backup center. While he doesn't post great rebounding numbers, Lopez's teams have almost always rebounded better with him on the court than when he sits. This is due to Lopez's willingness to box out his man and let his teammates gather up the rebounds.
While he doesn't have the shooting ability that his brother possesses, Lopez did start to shoot more threes in recent years, and hit a respectable 34% in '19-'20 in Milwaukee, albeit on a small number of attempts. However, Lopez pretty much stopped taking threes over the past two seasons and overall just doesn't look like he'll ever be a threat from outside. He can be effective inside using his sweeping hook shot.
On defense, Lopez looks to be moving a little bit slower as he ages into his mid-30's, and his days as an effective rotational player may be numbered. He's still a big body who can affect shots at the rim and generally knows where to be, but his lack of mobility might make him unplayable soon.
Cap Considerations
Lopez will be an unrestricted free agent with a $6 million cap hold and Non-Bird Rights. Using his Non-Bird rights, the most the Magic could offer him is a starting salary of $6 million, which would likely be enough to retain him. If necessary, they could also use the MLE to re-sign him, or cap space if they operate under the cap, if he demands more than $6 million.
Other teams will have multiple ways to sign Lopez as even teams without cap space could use either of the Non-Taxpayer MLE, Taxpayer MLE, Room MLE, or BAE to sign him. There's also a chance that Lopez could be had for the minimum.
Potential Teams: Trailblazers, Raptors, Thunder, Suns, Warriors
Predicted Contract: 1-year, $2.9 million ($1.8 million cap hit) with the Trailblazers
Actual Contract: 1-year, $2.9 million ($1.8 million cap hit) with the Cavaliers
As expected, Lopez signed for the minimum. However, I didn't expect Cleveland to be a landing spot for him considering they have some depth at center.
Last updated: 7/1/2022
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