Brook Lopez snubs Lakers for their rival, with $18 million over two years

Brook Lopez changes course after seven seasons wearing the Milwaukee Bucks jersey. The veteran center has officially signed with the Los Angeles Clippers for a two-year, $18 million contract, according to information reported by Shams Charania of ESPN. This signing is particularly surprising as Lopez was regularly linked to the Lakers in transfer rumors, with the LA team wanting to bring back their former player to strengthen their frontcourt.

Free agent center Brook Lopez has agreed to a two-year, $18 million deal with the Los Angeles Clippers, sources tell ESPN. Clippers and Lopez’s agents at Wasserman negotiate a new deal for the 2021 Bucks champion to exit Milwaukee and land in Los Angeles. pic.twitter.com/vmxiXtoGqu

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2025

A Strategic Addition for the Clippers

The Clippers used their « non-taxpayer mid-level exception » of $14.1 million to finalize this signing, according to Bobby Marks of ESPN. This operation also allows the California franchise to stay about $8 million below the « first apron », the first salary cap limit set by the NBA.

At 36, Lopez still contributes on both ends of the floor. During the 2024-2025 season, he played 80 games with Milwaukee, averaging 13 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.9 blocks in 31.8 minutes per game. His ability to space the floor remains one of his major assets: shooting 37.3% from 3-point range this season on 4.7 attempts per game, he remains a formidable outside threat for a center.

A Significant Loss for Milwaukee

Lopez’s departure marks a turning point for the Bucks, who lose one of their key players from recent seasons and their 2021 title run. Despite a more stable 2024-2025 season, Milwaukee again fell in the first round of playoffs against the Indiana Pacers, this time in five games after Damian Lillard‘s Achilles tendon injury.

Brook Lopez:

-7 seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks
-2nd most blocks in Bucks history
-4th most 3PT shots made in Bucks history
-All-Defensive 1st (2023) and 2nd (2020)
-NBA Champion

THANK YOU BROOK! Forever a Milwaukee Legend. pic.twitter.com/JeuL1CtXNd

— SleeperBucks (@SleeperBucksNBA) June 30, 2025

For the Clippers, who finished with 50 wins and 32 losses before falling to the Denver Nuggets in the first round, Lopez represents a key addition. With Ivica Zubac as starting center after his best career season, Lopez should provide depth and experience from the bench.

This signing also limits the Lakers‘ options at the center position, as several potential centers have already found new homes in free agency. Brook Lopez, the only player in history to combine more than 2,000 blocks and 1,000 made three-pointers, continues to write his legacy after 17 seasons in the NBA.