Brook Lopez has emerged as the frontrunner to become the Los Angeles Lakers’ starting center for the 2025-26 NBA season, according to odds released by BovadaOfficial. Listed at +250, Lopez leads a crowded field of possible replacements as the Lakers look to upgrade a glaring hole in their rotation after being ranked 14th in defensive rating among the 16 playoff teams this year.
1. Brook Lopez +250
2. Nic Claxton +400
3. Clint Capela +500
4. Any 2025 Draft Pick +750
5. Dereck Lively II +800
6. Walker Kessler +1200
7. Myles Turner +1400
8. Nikola Vucevic +1600
9. John Collins +1800
10. Jaxson Hayes +2000
11. Brandon Clarke +2500
12. Jakob Poeltl +2500
13. Steven Adams +2800
14. Jonas Valanciunas +3300
15. Andre Drummond +5000
16. Goga Bitadze +5000
17. Dwight Powell +10000
18. Kevin Love +10000
19. Daniel Theis +25000
20. Alex Len +50000
21. DeAndre Jordan +50000
22. Dwight Howard +50000
23. JaVale McGee +50000
24. Nikola Jokic +50000
25. Victor Wembanyama +50000
The interest in Lopez makes sense. He will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, and the situation in Milwaukee is suddenly uncertain. Damian Lillard is out for the next year with a torn Achilles, and Giannis Antetokounmpo’s long-term commitment to the Bucks appears increasingly shaky. At 37, Lopez could now be on the move, and a reunion with the Lakers might make perfect sense.
Lopez, who played for the Lakers during the 2017-18 season, averaged 13.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.9 blocks this past year, while shooting 50.9% from the field and an impressive 37.3% from three.
Despite his age, he remains one of the NBA’s best rim protectors and arguably the most reliable stretch-five on the market. For the Lakers, he offers what they lacked all season: spacing and defensive stability from the center spot.
While Jaxson Hayes never solidified himself as a long-term option, Lopez could be the veteran anchor next to LeBron James and Luka Doncic if the Lakers run it back with their current core.
His ability to space the floor would also allow Doncic and LeBron to operate with more driving lanes, something sorely missed during their playoff struggles against Minnesota’s size.
The Lakers do have other options, however. Nic Claxton is second in the odds at +400, and while he’s not a free agent, he could be acquired via trade. Claxton is younger at 26, more athletic, and is under contract for three more years.
He averaged 10.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 2.1 blocks per game this season while shooting 56.3% from the field. However, he lacks any perimeter shooting, which makes him less ideal next to two ball-dominant superstars.
Clint Capela, another name on the board at +500, could be a mid-range free agent signing. At 30 years old, Capela posted 8.9 points and 8.5 rebounds on 55.9% shooting this past season.
He’s still a strong lob threat and rebounder, but like Claxton, he doesn’t stretch the floor, which could cramp spacing in an offense led by Luka and LeBron.
Draft picks and younger players like Dereck Lively II, Walker Kessler, and Myles Turner round out the more speculative part of the list. While they offer long-term potential, the Lakers seem intent on maximizing the remainder of LeBron’s window, and that requires proven talent.
Ultimately, Brook Lopez stands out because of his fit, availability, and price. He likely won’t command a massive contract due to his age, and his skill set perfectly complements the Lakers’ core. If Milwaukee pivots into a retool or rebuild, Lopez heading to Los Angeles could be one of the first major dominoes of the offseason.
