Milwaukee will retain a crucial component to its success in the 2018-19 season as ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports that free agent centre Brook Lopez will sign a four-year, $52 million contract to stay with the team.
Once free agency opens at 6 PM ET, Brook Lopez is planning to sign a four-year, $52M deal to stay with the Milwaukee Bucks, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2019
Lopez was one of the top centres in the 2019 free agency class as he provides a unique blend of size, 3-point shooting and rim protection.
Last season, the 31-year old averaged 12.5 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.2 blocks over 81 games. He set an NBA record for 3-pointers made by a 7-footer in a single season as he knocked down 187 triples, doing so at a 36.5% clip.
The Bucks boasted the league's top-rated defence and fourth-rated offence thanks in part to the contributions of Lopez. Milwaukee, who finished with the league's best record, came two wins shy of advancing to the NBA Finals.
Players can negotiate agreements with teams on Sunday, June 30 at 6:00 p.m. ET but contracts can't be officially signed until the new league year begins on July 6