Bulls center Robin Lopez is in the final year of his contract and is a veteran on a young team that is looking to develop their young talent who are relatively inexperienced.Lopez doesn’t appear to be in their long term plans and could potentially be eligible to discuss a buyout with the franchise.
Lopez is averaging 5.6 points and 2.6 rebounds per game. Lopez is interested in playing more minutes and contributing to a winning team as this is his 10th season averaging a measly 16.3 minutes. Yahoo Sports Chris Haynes, is reporting that the Warriors are looking to add frontcourt help even with the addition of Demarcus Cousins coming off achilles injury.
Lopez’s representation has been in discussions with the Bulls’ front office about an exit strategy since late December, sources told Yahoo Sports, but the franchise intends to stand firm.
If the Bulls were to change course and reach a buyout agreement with Lopez, the Golden State Warriors would be his next destination, sources told Yahoo Sports.
The Bulls appear to be adamant on not helping the Warriors improve their team and appreciate Lopez veteran presence in their young locker room. Lopez was quoted as embracing a bigger role on a contending team but he will be professional about the situation and contribute to the Bulls organization until his agent tells him otherwise.
“I don’t think there’s an NBA player that doesn’t want to be on a winning team, a playoff team. I feel like I’m kind of smack dab in the middle of the prime of my career. Who doesn’t relish playing in playoff situations? That’s something very appealing, and whether that’s something the organization and myself come together and decide, that’s something we want to work towards with this team, or whether that’s something that’s going to happen somewhere else, I’m just going to keep grinding. I think right now we definitely aspire to be a winning team, and I want to help out with that.”
We’ll see if the Bulls stick to their decision to simply buyout Lopez and potentially move him in a trade prior to the deadline. This will allow the Bulls to receive compensation for Lopez rather than simply releasing hm from his contract and join a contender.
Outside of the Warriors these are teams that could use his services
The Houston Rockets, who will be without Clint Capela for 4 to 6 weeks with a thumb injury could use him to help James Harden keep the team afloat in the playoff race in the west while Capela rehabs from injury.
The Philadelphia 76ers could also use the help given the injury history behind their center Joel Embiid during their run to the playoffs in the Easter conference.
Lastly the Miami HEAT could use another big man to help center Hassan Whiteside as he is a poor free throw shooter and could give the team another 7 footer who can play during tight games as he is a significantly better free throw shooter at 70% for his career to Whiteside 44%.