The proposed trade would send the Knicks $48 million. Good news for Milwaukee Bucks, a former NBA champion.
The New York Knicks are seeking a replacement for Isaiah Hartenstein. According to David Vertsberger of SNY, Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez is one possibility they might examine.
In a July 24 report, Vertsberger advocated a Knicks-Bucks deal that would bring Lopez to New York.
Bucks acquire Miles McBride and Precious Achiuwa.
Vertsberger regarded Lopez as a talented center who compensates for Hartenstein’s absence. Lopez delivers a unique glimpse from the five spots New York has never seen before.
“Although he’s 36 years old, Lopez is still a competent defender, and while his rebound stats aren’t particularly impressive, he boxes out well, allowing others to take the boards. He’s also a 35.4 percent three-on-five shooter over the previous six seasons in Milwaukee, offering some space from a position the Knicks haven’t had to this point, which can open up a lot of offensive opportunities for Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle.”
Lopez won a championship with the Bucks in 2021 and is entering the second year of a two-year, $48 million deal. He also made the All-Star squad in 2013 while playing with the Brooklyn Nets.
Bucks ‘Gauging Trade Value’ for Brook Lopez: Report.
Trading Lopez is not a far-fetched idea for the Bucks. According to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, the Bucks have looked into Lopez’s trade market this summer.
“There looks to be a diverse group of starting-caliber big guys available for trade. According to league sources, the Bucks are considering rebuilding their squad and determining the trade worth of Brook Lopez,” Fischer reported in a June 21 piece.
Since winning the championship in 2021, the Bucks have won only one postseason series and have been ousted in the first round in two straight years. They’ve made some great offseason acquisitions, including free agents Taurean Prince, Gary Trent Jr., and Delon Wright, but it might not matter since, while depth was a concern, it wasn’t the only one.
Eric Nehm of The Athletic said in May that the Bucks must prioritize “figuring out how to become an elite defensive team once again”.
“The first thing they need to consider is the structure of their defense,” Nehm noted in an email. “There is a segment of Bucks fandom that would love to see the team try to move Lopez for defensive help on different parts of the floor, especially on the wing.”
However, Lopez has stayed with the team as of July 25, indicating that, while he is available, they are not aggressively selling him. In Vertsberger’s suggested deal, the Bucks would acquire younger (which they may need to keep their title dreams alive), but Lopez may not be satisfied.
Apart from Brook Lopez, the Knicks have another option.
There have been no reports linking the Knicks and Lopez. That’s probably because they spent all of their assets on Mikal Bridges. That has not stopped them from considering other prospects, including as Atlanta Hawks center Clint Capela.
On July 18, SNY’s Ian Begley stated that the Knicks had considered acquiring Capela, but it is unclear how serious their interest was.
“Clint Capela, Atlanta was one big that the Knicks checked in on,” Begley informed the crowd. “I’m not sure how far the negotiations went. I’m not sure if they are active right now. However, they did check in on Capela.
Losing Hartenstein might be a concern for the Knicks. Given Capela’s expertise as a veteran, acquiring him might help alleviate that issue.
