One-half of the Lopez twins, 16-year NBA vet Robin Lopez, is considering all options this summer and isn’t ruling out signing with a Euro League team. Lopez’s time in the NBA might be up if another team doesn’t pick up him before the season begins in October.
Robin Lopez Sets Eyes on European Skies
NBA Vet Still Hoping for NBA Chance
Former Milwaukee Buck and sixteen-year NBA vet Robin Lopez is considering prolonging his professional basketball career in Europe. So far, the career backup center has failed to latch onto what would be his tenth NBA franchise. Lopez began last season in Milwaukee but was traded to the Sacramento Kings in early February. The Kings subsequently waived the 7-foot-1 center shortly after.
The 2023-24 campaign was Lopez’s least productive NBA season. Playing in only 16 games, he averaged 1.1 points, 0.3 rebounds, and 4.1 minutes per game. The last four years have seen Lopez’s impact become less and less. Still, his size and position should still be of some value to an NBA team lacking in those areas. There is still time left as he hopes for a team to call him; all he needs is one.
Lopez’s Traveling NBA Career
Lopez has bounced around the league during his sixteen-year career since being drafted by the Phoenix Suns in 2008. He spent his first four NBA seasons there. From the desert, he’s traveled from New Orleans, Portland, and New York to Chicago, Washington, Cleveland, Orlando, and the Milwaukee Bucks. He had two stints with the Bucks, 2019-20, and last season, 2023-24. Both seasons allowed him to play alongside his brother, Brook Lopez. Throughout his career, Robin has posted averages of 8.4 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 0.8 assists.
Since entering the league in the same year, the two brothers have experienced almost polar opposite careers. While Robin has moved around considerably, Brook has enjoyed a level of consistency, only playing for three teams in 16 years. Perhaps there was a talent discrepancy between the two. Or maybe issues of fit with certain teams led to very different careers. Despite all of Robin’s moving around, though, he is still intent on playing basketball; it just might not come in the NBA.
Another Former Buck & Teammate Already Signed Over Seas
If he indeed does sign in the Euro League, Lopez wouldn’t be the first player or NBA vet to switch continents this offseason. Former LA Clippers guard Patrick Beverley also left to play for Hapoel Tel Aviv BC in Tel Aviv, Israel. Beverley was also a member of the Bucks last season, coming over from a trade with Philadelphia.
Lopez spoke with reporters following this past Saturday’s farewell game featuring another long-time NBA vet Goran Dragić in his final professional basketball game in Slovenia.
“I’d absolutely consider it,” Lopez responded when asked about the possibility of joining the Euro League. “I know how passionate the fans are and how high the level of basketball is.”
Lopez will be 37 years old next April. Perhaps a change of scenery in Europe would do well for the NBA vet as retirement begins to loom closer.
