Rockets’ Bold Plans To Pursue Bucks’ Brook Lopez, Revealed

Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez is on the Houston Rockets’ radar, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports.

Lopez become an unrestricted free agent this summer and the Rockets have a ton of cap space.

“Another key Milwaukee starter, however, sharp-shooting center Brook Lopez, is a veteran free agent on Houston’s radar, league sources told Yahoo Sports,” Fischer wrote.

Lopez averaged 15.9 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 2.5 blocks for the Bucks this season in 78 games while shooting 53.1% from the field, 37.4% from beyond the arc and 78.4% from the free-throw line. The one-time All-Star made 136 3-pointers.

Milwaukee lost to the Miami Heat in the first round of the 2023 playoffs in five games.

The Rockets won only 22 games this season, but they could be much better in 2023-24. Not only does Houston have the fourth overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft and over $60 million in cap space, but the franchise also believes former MVP James Harden will be its point guard next season.

According to Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Harden is expected to sign with the Rockets, the team he played nine years for.

“The belief among NBA executives is that James Harden will rejoin the Houston Rockets this summer,” Pompey wrote. “Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta ‘loves’ the 76ers point guard. The franchise expects to reunite with him, sources say. Before the Rockets hired Ime Udoka on April 25, head coaching candidates were asked for their opinion on coaching Harden during the interview process, according to sources.

“Sources have said his interest in returning to Houston is mutual and not a ploy to get a lucrative deal out of the Sixers. His mother still lives in the city. He has several business ventures there. And, as one source said, ‘he’s treated like a god in Houston.’”

If the Rockets get Harden and Lopez, they could very easily make a lot of noise in the Western Conference next season.