Knicks Could Trade for Bucks Center

The New York Knicks could continue their strong offseason by trading for Brook Lopez.

Jeremy Brener | Jul 7, 2024

May 2, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez (11) shoots the ball while Indiana Pacers forward Isaiah Jackson (22) defends during game six of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports / Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

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New York Knicks

The New York Knicks are looking for an upgrade at the center position after losing Isaiah Hartenstein in free agency to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The free agent market for centers has dried up considerably, but the Knicks could look to the trade market to make a move.

According to Milwaukee Bucks insider Gery Woelfel, Brook Lopez is on the trade block.

"Sources claim the Bucks are still very receptive to trading veteran Brook Lopez, but the Bucks' asking price of a first-round draft pick for a 36-year-old center with a $23M contract is too rich," Woelfel tweeted.

Money is tight for the Knicks, but perhaps a move here could make sense. A trade of Mitchell Robinson and a heavily-protected first-round pick could help. Robinson has three years on his contract and the Knicks could look to add Lopez and clear the books for potential free agency runs in the future.

Lopez would also be a great defensive presence for the Knicks after being named to the All-Defensive First Team back in 2023. On paper, the deal makes sense for New York. Unfortunately, it probably won't happen.

The money is far too much for the Knicks to take on alone. After dealing Bojan Bogdanovic to the Brooklyn Nets, they don't have a contract that closely matches Lopez's. Robinson makes around $10 million less than Lopez for the upcoming season, and that will pierce into the Knicks tax bill, which is something they have looked to cut down recently after trading for Mikal Bridges and signing OG Anunoby to an extension.

Perhaps if the Knicks were willing to deal Julius Randle, things would be able to happen. However, it doesn't benefit the Knicks to trade Randle for an aging Lopez, even if he was attached with another asset like shooting guard Pat Connaughton.

The Knicks need to find a way to add a center, but it likely won't happen on the trade market. Look for them to sign a center to the veteran's minimum like former NBA champion JaVale McGee or veteran Daniel Theis.

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Published Jul 7, 2024

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.