Robin Lopez escaped the trade deadline untouched, despite rumors that the Chicago Bulls might send their oldest player elsewhere after having traded marksman Justin Holiday to the Memphis Grizzlies. Instead, Lopez stayed put and has now logged even more minutes than he initially did through the first half of the season under Jim Boylen.
According to Sam Smith of Bulls.com, Lopez could return next season and continue to play a significant role, despite his contract expiring this summer:
Going into the season, the Bulls seemed convinced Robin could not play in this NBA with the switching and three-point shooting. But he’s demonstrated that old maxim that maybe I can’t guard you, but you also can’t guard me. Few teams lately have beaten the Bulls at his position. And even when Wendell Carter Jr. returns, it likely will be half time at power forward given he’s only about 6-10. It seems now Robin’s return for next season will be under consideration, which it wasn’t last summer.
Most expected this to be Lopez's last year with the Bulls, as the team had clearly made the shift to a younger generation. But the 7-footer has responded confidently, proving he can hang at the center position after struggling to start the season.
The Bulls have won five of their last seven games, and Lopez has been a major part of it, already playing consecutive 40-minute nights under coach Jim Boylen after getting his seal of approval. Lopez has even been doing a lot of scoring, averaging a career-high 15.5 points in February.
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