Chicago Bulls center Robin Lopez has been linked to the Golden State Warriors as a potential future acquisition to help the defending champions with their lack of positional depth, according to Marc Stein of The New York Times.
Lopez has been placed in the trade block, as Chicago's 9-25 is unlikely to go very far with this young roster, and as most bottom-dwellers, the Bulls are seeking riddance for their veteran players. The 7-footer is the oldest member of the Bulls at 30 years old, but also boasts a hefty contract that could prove troublesome to move.
“The Bulls have made Lopez available via trade along with the former No. 2 overall draft pick Jabari Parker, according to league sources, but moving the experienced center isn’t so simple given his $14.4 million salary. There will be little need for the Bulls to keep Lopez, 30, beyond Feb. 7 if they don’t find a workable trade for him, which may set up the former Knick to emerge as one of most coveted buyout candidates. Golden State’s positional needs also could certainly change between now and then, but Kevon Looney is the closest thing to a proven center currently available to Coach Steve Kerr.”
Golden State's lack of assets could also prove difficult to complete a potential trade prior to the deadline, especially due to their history, as the Warriors haven't completed a single player since the start of their initial championship season in 2014-15.
The Warriors have mastered offseason acquisitions and have assigned those who acquired through the draft process or the G League to positional needs — yet they find themselves in a delicate situation, with DeMarcus Cousins now likely to make his return in February, rather than late December.
With their early-season starter Damian Jones likely out for the rest of the season, Kevon Looney has come as the lone answer at the center spot, with coach Steve Kerr resorting to play a lot of small-ball lineups in hopes to maximize offensive efficiency — playing Kevin Durant at power forward and the well-undersized Draymond Green as a rotating center.
Looney is a great complementary player and brings energy along with fundamentals, yet second-year big man Jordan Bell has done exactly the opposite — often leaving his feet on defense and now showing an offensive game that has simply eroded, passing up open layups and failing to be assertive when his number is called.
This wouldn't be an issue with Cousins coming back at year's end, but waiting another month-and-change can potentially bring problems to a season in which the Warriors have already lollygagged to a 23-11 record after various injuries.
Robin Lopez is a capable 7-footer, known for his defense, but capable to scrap for some timely baskets at the other end of the floor — yet finding assets to send in return would be challenging.
No way Chicago takes a mulligan on Bell after what he's shown this year.
Yet the West is as heavily-clogged as it's been in the past 20 years and the Warriors could easily find themselves being a middle-of-the-pack seed in the postseason if they don't find a consistent answer at center.
Head coach Steve Kerr recently rewarded Jonas Jerebko with a start at center after he dropped a season-high 23 points against the Dallas Mavericks, but he responded with a seven-point effort against the L.A. Clippers.
The constant play of musical chairs will eventually come to an end once Cousins returns to the floor, but the Warriors will have their share of defensive woes until then.
Is Robin Lopez worth losing assets to be a one-month punching bag until Boogie's impending return? The answer is likely no — especially given the Warriors' luxury tax situation.
While a legitimate 7-footer could be a usable asset at this point in the season, it's heavily unlikely that the Warriors dart a long-shot to acquire him under these circumstances.
Follow Us
Subscribe