Clippers to bring in veteran big man on a two-year deal

After spending seven seasons in Milwaukee, center Brook Lopez is headed back to Los Angeles, having agreed to sign a two-year, $18M contract with the Clippers, sources tell ESPN’s Shams Charania (Twitter link).

The Clippers were known to be in the market for a reliable veteran big man to back up Most Improved Player runner-up Ivica Zubac. Based on the terms, it looks like they’ll be using a majority of the non-taxpayer mid-level exception to add Lopez.

ESPN’s Bobby Marks writes (via Twitter) that by signing Lopez, the Clippers have triggered a hard cap at the first apron, which they are currently $8MM under. Yossi Gozlan of the Third Apron adds (via Twitter) that the Clippers will still have $5.3M available, and could add $4.8M more should they waive Drew Eubanks.

Lopez had one of his better shooting seasons for the Bucks this year, hitting 37.3% of his 4.7 attempts per night. However, his overall production was slightly down in terms of rebounding and rim protection as the Bucks dealt with a litany of injuries and chemistry issues.

He will slot in next to newly-retained Nicolas Batum to form a heady, skilled defensive bench pairing. Lopez makes for a defensively dominant center rotation alongside Zubac, who is coming off a career season and offers the team a different look offensively as a stretch center.

The Bucks re-signed Bobby Portis yesterday and brought back Kevin Porter Jr. earlier today, but the loss of Lopez brings more questions about the direction of a team that will already be missing its second star in Damian Lillard.