Robin Lopez is a center that the New Orleans Pelicans should target in free agency.
The New Orleans Pelicans have about 75 point guards after adding two in the Jrue Holiday trade and another in the 2020 NBA Draft.
Drafting Kira Lewis Jr. was a head-scratcher, as he wasn’t ranked as high on most boards and doesn’t fill a need for the Pelicans, who already had four guys who can play point guard.
This almost certainly means a trade is coming, as the Pelicans will have very little money to spend in free agency after they extend Brandon Ingram.
They are thin everywhere (except point guard), including both forward positions and center, where Jaxson Hayes is the only option.
They need someone in the paint who is at least old enough to buy alcohol, even if he does love to play with Disney dolls.
Micky Mouse aficionado Robin Lopez became an option after he declined his player option with the Bucks and became an unrestricted free agent.
Milwaukee Bucks center Robin Lopez is declining his $5M player option and becoming a free agent, source tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 16, 2020
There are several reasons why he may have done this. Perhaps he thinks he can get more yearly salary or a longer deal. Maybe Lopez was sick of riding the bench behind his brother and wants to go to a team with a more defined role.
That team could be the New Orleans Pelicans.
New Orleans Pelicans: Free agent Robin Lopez would be a good fit
Currently the Pelicans have only 20-year-old Jaxson Hayes on the roster at center and would love to add some veteran muscle in the paint.
The Pels were nearly dead last in the league in points in the paint allowed and need to get someone who can defend, preferably both power forwards and centers.
Lopez is on the downside of his career, but he is still a talented team defender and rebounder who still has the lateral quickness to stay in front of (some) power forwards.
He can likely be had on a small deal, something like 2 years/$14 million, which would give time for Jaxson Hayes to develop and get more consistent.
Lopez has been around and is a high-I.Q. player who would be a good mentor to Hayes. Lopez is also a team-first defender who doesn’t need the ball in his hands, though he has been developing a 3-point shot.
If Lopez continues to add the 3-pointer to his arsenal, he could be the type of interior defender and floor-spacer the Pelicans would love to have at center.
RoLo is a fan-favorite who was well-liked in New Orleans in his first stint. He is more of a traditional center, but is extending his range and would give the Pels some toughness and defensive identity.