Brook Lopez has agreed to a two-year, $48 million deal to return to the Bucks, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
Milwaukee retained its center after Lopez registered one of the best seasons of his career, one where he averaged a career-high in blocks (2.5) and three-point percentage (37.4%) during the regular season. He also finished second in this year’s voting for Defensive Player of the Year and earned his first All-Defensive First Team selection.
Prior to signing a new deal with Milwaukee, Lopez was a key target for the Lakers in free agency. Instead of taking his talents to Los Angeles, where he previously played in 2017–18, to play with LeBron James, the 35-year-old remains in Milwaukee to play alongside the franchise’s core. The team also retained three-time All-Star Khris Middleton, who signed a new three-year deal on Friday, to stay in Milwaukee with two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jrue Holiday.
Lopez averaged 16.4 points and 6.7 rebounds per game for the Bucks in the regular season. Through five games in Milwaukee’s disappointing first-round exit in the playoffs, Lopez registered 19 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.8 blocks and 1.4 steals per game. His postseason performance also included a playoff career-high scoring performance of 36 points with 11 rebounds in Milwaukee’s Game 4 loss to the Heat.
