Brook Lopez is coming home — and coming for another ring.
The 37-year-old veteran center signed a two-year, $18 million deal with the Los Angeles Clippers this offseason, spurning offers from other teams, including the Lakers, to join a franchise he believes is ready to win now. Speaking at NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, Lopez made it clear that the decision was about more than money or geography — it was about legacy.
“Looking at my options, I was just thrilled the Clippers reached out and were one of them,” Lopez told The Los Angeles Times. “They’ve been a great team for quite a while now… and there is a great chance to win a championship here.”
Brook Lopez Comes Full Circle with Clippers, Says LA Is ‘Perfect Fit’ for Title Chase
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Born and raised in North Hollywood, Lopez watched the Clippers struggle for decades before their recent rise. After seven years with the Milwaukee Bucks — a tenure that included an NBA title in 2021 — Lopez said seeing how far the Clippers have come made the decision feel serendipitous.
“It’s crazy to see, but it’s very cool,” Lopez said. “To see where the Clippers have come now, it’s just astonishing. It’s beautiful. I’m glad to be a part of it. And hopefully, I can help take them even further up.”
The move also reunites Lopez with Clippers president Lawrence Frank, who was his first NBA head coach with the then-New Jersey Nets. That connection helped seal what Lopez called a “full-circle moment.”
On-Court Fit and Team Culture
Though Lopez has started most of his 17-year NBA career, he’s expected to back up Ivica Zubac in L.A. He says he’s fully bought into whatever role head coach Tyronn Lue assigns him.
“I’m just trying to come in and help the team win,” he said. “Whatever that may look like, that’s what I’m here to do.”
Still, Lopez believes there’s room to share the court with Zubac as well.
“We’ll be very big. I think we’d be great defensively just dominating the paint… I’ll spread the floor for him, give him all the room in the paint to go wild,” he told The OC Register.
Lopez brings playoff experience, rim protection, and floor spacing — shooting 37.3% from three last season — to a veteran Clippers roster that includes Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, and Paul George. The franchise now enters its new era at Intuit Dome, led by title-winning coach Tyronn Lue and one of the league’s most aggressive front offices.
Why Not the Lakers?
While Lopez was also in discussions to return to the Lakers — where he played in 2017-18 — uncertainty around LeBron James’ future reportedly gave him pause. According to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne and Brian Windhorst, Lopez “grew wary” of the ambiguity and opted for the more stable Clippers instead.
The Mission
Despite his age, Lopez played 80 games last season and averaged 13.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks in nearly 32 minutes per game. He said he’s motivated not just by a return to California, but by one final chase for a title.
Lopez says he’ll accept whatever role is asked of him. He believes the situation he’s stepping into is a “perfect fit” for him.
“I’m just trying to come in and help the team win,” Lopez said. “Whatever that may look like, that’s what I’m here to do. Wherever my minutes may come from when I’m on the court, the beginning of the game, middle of the game, end of the game, I’m trying to be out there trying to help my team win and beat the other team on the court.”