The Milwaukee Bucks are at a crossroads of staying power after this season.
According to Hoopshype’s Michael Scoto, Milwaukee’s ‘Splash Mountain’ Brooke Lopez (center, 216cm, 128kg) wants to stay.
Lopez’s current contract expires after this season. He re-signed with Milwaukee in the summer of 2019. At the time, Milwaukee signed Lopez to a four-year, $52 million contract. The contract is fully guaranteed and this season is the last year.
His contract with the Los Angeles Lakers expired at the end of the 2017-2018 season. At the time, Lopez earned an annual salary of over $22.6 million. But his value dwindled, and he wore a Milwaukee uniform for about $3.38 million a year. Unlike before, he actively tried outside shots and became a practical stretch center, and signed a new contract with Milwaukee after the season.
As he has spent 5 seasons with Milwaukee until this season, he naturally hopes to stay in Milwaukee. However, the key will be the terms of the contract. Lopez was paid $13 million per year, but is expected to be hoping for at least $15 million per year. Lopez can earn more than that salary. But a $20 million-per-year contract won’t be easy as Milwaukee is already spending a lot on maintaining power.
At the end of this season, the contracts with Joe Ingles and George Hill expire. Chris Middleton also has a player option. Confirmed spending for the upcoming 2023-2024 season, including Middleton’s option (about $40 million), is approaching $160 million. This is a situation that far exceeded the expected salary cap for next season. It is possible to renew the contract, but it is natural that expenses will increase even if the contract is renewed.
Not only is the salary cap already saturated, but the luxury tax has no choice but to increase significantly. There is plenty of room until next season’s luxury budget (about $162 million), and Lopez has played for Milwaukee for more than five years in his 10th year or more. It is possible to renew the contract, but it may not be easy to maintain finances considering the soaring total annual salary as well as the luxury tax that will be added later. I can’t help but worry about this.먹튀검증
From Milwaukee’s point of view, it’s best to sign an extension if you’re with Lopez. If the contract extension is drawn up before the transfer market opens, the burden of spending can be eased at least. Considering Lopez is happy with Milwaukee and he’s also in his mid-30s, it’s a decent enough seat. If you push for a contract before competing with other teams, you have a chance.
He has contributed to the team more consistently than anyone else except for 13 appearances due to injury last season. Staying high and trying outside helped a lot. His performance this season is also good. As a starter in all 39 games so far, he is recording 14.5 points (.505 .381 .788), 6.5 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 30.3 minutes per game. He is averaging the most points since he settled in Milwaukee.
Regarding his future, Lopez said, “I want to stay here,” and explained, “I am grateful that they gave me the opportunity five years ago, and I have been able to become better by coming here.” Lopez helped Milwaukee win last season 2020-2021. Still, he expressed his affection for Milwaukee, saying, “We’re a good team, and I can’t imagine being anywhere else.”
Meanwhile, Milwaukee is in third place in the Eastern Conference with 26 wins and 14 losses so far this season. Chris Middleton missed most of the season with an injury. However, despite the absence of Middleton, he has not been able to continue his recent momentum. It maintained a 22-8 record until mid-December, but after that, in 10 games, it only went 4-6, including 4 consecutive losses, the club’s most in the season.