NBA
Brook Lopez signed with the Clippers over the Lakers due to LeBron James’ ‘uncertainty’ in LA
Zach Wolpin is an NBA and NFL expert who's been betting on the league for over three years now. Wolpin has been a fan of the NBA and has been watching for a decade and a half. He covers the latest news and stories surrounding the league daily. His passion in life is watching sports and being able to share that through his sports writing. He has written about the NBA and other sports leagues through various media outlets over the years like Sir Charles In Charge, G-Men HQ, and TAP into South Plainfield. Before he became an NBA News Writer, Wolpin attended Montclair State University where he graduated in 2021. He studied Sports Media and Writing while in school.
All posts by Zach WolpinUpdated7 hours ago on July 11, 2025
To begin the 2024-25 season, the Lakers had two superstar players. LeBron James and Anthony Davis. At the trade deadline, Los Angeles parted ways with Davis to acquire All-NBA PG Luka Doncic.
The Lakers are in the middle of a transition from LeBron James being their franchise player to Luka Doncic. James is entering his 23rd season, and Doncic is still only 26 years old. This offseason, there are reports that James is unhappy with the Lakers’ front office. There is “uncertainty” that James will remain with the Lakers. That’s why free agent center Brook Lopez signed with the Clippers over the Lakers this offseason.
LeBron James’ dispute with the Lakers cost them a free-agent center
Welcome to #ClipperNation, Brook Lopez 👏 pic.twitter.com/ZcJymgAxTQ
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) July 6, 2025
One of the largest needs for the Lakers ahead of the 2025-26 season was finding depth at center. Los Angeles had an interest in several targets this offseason. That included free agent and NBA champion Brook Lopez. He played and started 80 of 82 games for the Bucks in 2024-25. It was Lopez’s 17th professional season and seventh with Milwaukee. The Lakers were searching for a starting-caliber center to pair with Luka Doncic.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst and Ramona Shelbourne had a story on why Lopez did not choose the Lakers. The pair noted that Lopez “strongly considered” the Lakers this offseason. However, he chose to sign with the Clippers due to LeBron James’ “uncertainty” with the team. Some analysts believe James could be gone by the end of next season. Whether that be through a trade or free agency.
Brook Lopez has played 78+ games in each of the last 3 seasons while shooting 37% from deep in all of em including a first team all-defense nomination
He is coming off a season averaging:
13.0 PTS
5.0 REB
1.8 AST
0.6 STL
1.9 BLKNewest Clipper👀 pic.twitter.com/RCUsIegBwr
— clippa twitta (@clipfullyloaded) June 30, 2025
With that news, Brook Lopez decided to sign with the Clippers as a backup. He got a two-year, $18 deal with Los Angeles. It will be the first time in a while that he comes off the bench. Ivica Zubac is the starting center for the Clippers. They also acquired PF John Collins this offseason. Lopez will be a solid depth piece in the frontcourt off the bench in 2025-26. The Lakers would have loved to have Lopez.
Instead, they acquired Deandre Ayton, who became a free agent this offseason. Ayton had the final year of his contract bought out by the Trail Blazers. He was the only quality center left on the market. Recently, Ayton signed a two-year, $16.2 million contract with the Lakers. He has a 2026-27 player option worth $8.1 million. Teams around the league will closely monitor LeBron James’ situation in LA to see if they could lure him away. Even if James leaves, the Lakers have a face of the franchise in Luka Doncic.
