By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Free agent center Brook Lopez is returning to the Milwaukee Bucks after agreeing to a two-year, $48 million deal, per ESPN.
The Bucks were able to retain both Lopez and star guard Khris Middleton this offseason, keeping the core of their 2021 championship team together around two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Milwaukee was able to stave off the Houston Rockets in re-signing Lopez, who had significant interest in the veteran center.
Lopez is coming off a stellar 2022-23 season in which he averaged 15.9 points and 6.7 rebounds, his best offensive production since the 2016-17 season when he was still with the Brooklyn Nets. On top of that, he finished second in the league in Defensive Player of the Year award voting.
In the West, the Los Angeles Lakers have agreed to a max extension with restricted free agent Austin Reaves, per multiple reports.
Reaves’ new deal will start at $12.4 million next season and include an 8% raise each season, netting out to $56 million over four years, per the same reports.
The 6-foot-5 guard had a breakout campaign in his second season in the league, flirting with 50/40/90 shooting averages to go along with 13 points, 3 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game.
In the Lakers‘ final 11 regular-season games as they chased a spot in the play-in tournament, Reaves averaged 19.8 points and 6.1 assists while shooting 58% from the field. L.A. went 9-2 and ended up with the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference.
The Lakers have been busy at the start of free agency, agreeing to deals Friday with Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, Taurean Prince and Cam Reddish. On Saturday the team also agreed to contracts with D’Angelo Russell who has agreed on a two-year, $37 million deal to stay, and Jaxson Hayes before retaining Reaves.