In an era of the smaller, quicker, shootier centre, Robin Lopez remains a true paint player. The very occasional pick-and-pop three-pointer he shot to begin last season was an anomalous product of necessity that will not continue; instead, this is a man who thrives through hook shots, flat yet consistent elbow jumpers, and being within arm's reach of the paint as a sneaky-reliable offensive player. Which is precisely what many contending teams may need. Chicago, however, will not be one such contender, and while there is an outside chance of them making a run at a low playoff seed next season, there is a far greater chance that this is not the roster that they will end the season with. And very few permutations of their future feature Lopez. Lopez is not a buyout candidate because he's no good - instead, it's because he is.
Robin Lopez C – 7’0, 277lbs - 30 years old - 10 years of experience
Not much resembling the player he used to be as the speed declines (and with it the rim protection and defensive rebounding), Lopez nevertheless is reinventing himself as more of a skill player. He even hit some threes to begin the year. This was more a function of being the main screener in absolutely terrible offensive units that could not ever permeate the first line of the defence, but it all goes on the CV.
Indeed, this was a career high season in points for Lopez, and assists too. The lack of speed, explosion, handle and rangy jumper would not seem to fit a pace-and-space offence, but Lopez’s ever-improving mid-range touch and hook shots combine with his size (thereby always a passing target) and quick decisions to make him a solid option on the interior, and someone quite far up the “we need something quick, get it to that guy” pecking order this year. This speaks more to the Bulls’ offensive struggles then anything else, but Robin will take the W.
Being consistent with effort and results is good, and in keeping with what a veteran should be doing on a rebuilding team. The limitations are there, as evidenced in all columns other than scoring. But in boxing out (getting his team quite a lot of those Steven Adams rebounds), being a halfcourt option, being the team’s only rim protector and being nice about it, Lopez has a useful role to play in the near future even if he is not part of the long term one.
Actually, come to think of it - he wouldn’t half be a bad backup for Adams, would he?
Player Plan: One year and $14,357,750 remaining. It seems unlikely that there will be something available for him in trade, given the excess of available bigs in the league right now, plus his own situation. Nevertheless, if he were to play it out, no biggy. Lopez would be a buyout candidate at the deadline but there is no great incentive for Chicago to do unless he gives up a lot of money to do so - either way, all three options are open to him. (So is an extension, while we’re at it.)
Robin Lopez C, 7’0, 255lbs, 29 years old, 9 years of experience
Yet another remarkably solid season from a man who always has solid seasons. He may not have much explosion around the basket or be the most efficient finisher, yet his ability to make hook shots and flat-footed jump-shots from the mid-range areas gave the team an interior option that at least created a target to throw to, as well as an offensive rebounding presence and effective defender around the basket. Lopez is a pure centre who does not leave the paint on either end other than to screen, due to a lack of mobility which limits him, but he plays within those limitations and is effective when he does so. There is still a role for tradition-al centres if they are good, and Lopez is good.
Player Plan: Two years and circa. $28 million remaining. A good player for a good price who might be worthy of a first round pick in six months to a year’s time, albeit with no replacement for him immediately obvious.
(Brook is one of the best centre prospects we have had for many a year. This is proven by the way he walked into a 34/14/8 without using a huge amount of effort to do it. And he's already loafing his way to 20ppg. But he needs a little Humphries in him to realise his potential. So does Robin Lopez.)
I've said it so many times that it's becoming kind of repetitive, yet it bears no less true - Phoenix really, really, really, really need rebounding help. Amongst their big men, the only average calibre rebounder is Robin Lopez, and even he's only been average for one season. He was a poor rebounder in both his rookie year and his college career.
