Mar 12, 2024; Sacramento, California, USA; Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis (10) and Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez (11) fight for position under the basket during the second quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

'The Money is Nice' – Los Angeles Clippers’ New Big Gets 100% Real on Why He Joined the Team This Offseason

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Jordan Samar | Last updated Aug 13, 2025 9:47 AM ET

The Los Angeles Clippers bolstered their frontcourt with the free agency addition of Brook Lopez. According to reports, the “Splash Mountain” signed a two-year, $18 million deal to go to Hollywood this summer.

During his introductory press conference recently, Lopez expressed his gratitude to the Milwaukee Bucks and then explained why he’s motivated to contribute to the Los Angeles Clippers next season.

“I’m obviously proud of winning the championship. But I’m thankful to all the players I played with, the coaches and staff, physical therapists, strength and conditioning people, all the people that helped put me in the position to be successful. Those guys took care of me, and we have such a special bond beyond the basketball court. That’s never going to go away, and I’m just very thankful for them,” Lopez said about the Milwaukee Bucks via ClutchPoints’ Tomer Azarly.

Nov 22, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez (11), guard Damian Lillard (0), and forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) celebrate near the end of the game against the Indiana Pacers at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

“The money is nice,” he quipped. “But that’s not what it’s about for me. I love playing, I love hooping, and I’ve loved it since I was a little kid. I just want to keep winning. I got a great taste for it in Milwaukee, and these guys are all about that here, and I’m all about it, so it’s a perfect fit.”

Los Angeles Clippers’ “old” roster draws valid concern from former NBA champion

The Los Angeles Clippers are considered among the favorites next season, as their roster is stacked with former and current NBA All-Stars. However, one former champion is not convinced about their title chances, and that player is Jeff Teague.

Nov 17, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden (1, left) and Kawhi Leonard (right) watch the game against the Utah Jazz from the bench during the fourth quarter at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

“I just don’t think this is a good (team), I don’t think it is. Like, if this was three years ago, I’d be like, ‘It’s the best team you could put together right here.’ And now I think age is undefeated,” Teague stated on the Club 520 podcast.

“And they all old, so it doesn’t matter anymore. But it’s just… The best game they play, the way they play, is isolation basketball…. I’m just saying the way they play is isolation basketball. Kawhi Leonard is one of the best isolation players. He plays isolation. James Harden plays like that. That’s a big two,” he added.