Clippers Sign Brook Lopez for Two Years, $18 Million

The Los Angeles Clippers have reached an agreement with veteran center Brook Lopez on a two-year, $18 million contract, according to multiple reports. Agents at Wasserman negotiated the deal, which is expected to be finalized when the NBA’s moratorium on signings ends next week.

Lopez, 37, spent the past seven seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks, helping the club capture the 2021 NBA championship. The Stanford product averaged 12.5 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.4 blocks last season while finishing second in Defensive Player of the Year voting.

The 7-footer returns to his native Los Angeles, where he played for the Lakers during the 2017-18 campaign. His arrival gives the Clippers a proven interior defender alongside stars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George and fills the vacancy created when starter Ivica Zubac became a free agent.

Cap analysts project the signing will push the Clippers over the NBA’s first luxury-tax apron, leaving the club about $8 million below the threshold after the move. Milwaukee, meanwhile, now faces the loss of its starting center as it reshapes the roster around Giannis Antetokounmpo.