Rockets 'Presumed Threat' to Sign Bucks' Brook Lopez, But ...

The Milwaukee Bucks are looking to re-sign Brook Lopez in free agency, but the Houston Rockets will put up a fight for him.

Jeremy Brener | Jun 28, 2023

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Houston Rockets

As free agency draws near, more clarity is being shared on the top free agent options and where they may sign after 5 p.m. on Friday.

The Houston Rockets have reportedly been interested in Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez, but NBA insider Marc Stein says that the 35-year-old is looking to stay put.

"League sources say that Milwaukee is indeed in a promising position when it comes to re-signing both Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez," Stein wrote. "My sense is that a new deal for Middleton is all but assured at this point, while word is Lopez — despite Houston's well-chronicled interest and the presumed threat to a Rockets bid would carry — is likewise leaning toward a Bucks return."

Lopez is arguably the best defender on the open market this summer, coming off an All-NBA Defensive First Team season. For the Rockets, who finished 29th in total defense this past season, adding Lopez would fill an immediate need. Lopez averaged 15.9 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 2.5 blocks per contest in 78 games last season for the Bucks en route to the best record in the NBA for the regular season.

To leave the best team in the league for one of the worst will take a lot, especially for a veteran like Lopez. The Rockets may make an effort, but the task is tall and unlikely to be completed.

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Published Jun 28, 2023

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.