NBA rumors: The Houston Rockets were the biggest spenders in NBA free agency. This team had multiple plans in place ahead of the free agency window, and for the most part, they executed them as they had initially mapped out.
They did fall short on Brook Lopez, though, who decided to sign a two-year $48 million extension with the Milwaukee Bucks. The Rockets were reportedly willing to pay the former All-Star a whole lot of money, but in the end, Lopez flexed his loyalty to Milwaukee.
NBA Rumors: The Impact of Brook Lopez on Dillon Brooks $80 Million Rockets Deal
Houston’s failed pursuit of Brook Lopez had major implications for their free agency plans. Speaking on a recent episode of the HoopsHype podcast, NBA insider Michael Scotto revealed how Lopez’s decision to re-sign with the Bucks impacted the Rockets in a major way:
“Houston thought they really had a strong chance to get Lopez. (Dillon) Brooks ended up getting more money,” Scotto said. “Jeff Green originally agreed to a one-year, $6 million deal. Then, once the Lopez talks fell through, there was a follow-up conversation after the initial agreement and a scenario where it was pitched that he could do a longer deal (two years, $16 million), and that’s how he ended up getting a little bit more money on the front end.”
As Scotto said, Dillon Brooks was the big winner of Houston’s botched move for Brook Lopez. In the end, Brooks agreed to a four-year deal worth a whopping $80 million. As Scotto implied, some of that money was supposedly initially allocated for Lopez.
Jeff Green also benefited from Lopez’s decision. In the same light, so did Jock Landale, who himself received the biggest payday of his young career:
“Lopez had a domino effect, and look what it did for Jock Landale,” Scotto continued. “He ended up getting four years, $32 million. From what I’ve heard, Landale, this upcoming season, is going to make double more than what Phoenix was looking at offering at that point. “
That’s a lot more money. Perhaps it would be a good idea for Jock Landale to treat Brook Lopez to dinner the next time they cross paths.
NBA Rumors: Brook Lopez Got the Bag From Bucks
At the end of the day, this turned out to be a win-win scenario for all parties involved. Lopez got himself a new deal with the Bucks, which obviously, was all he wanted all along. The 35-year-old was an integral part of Milwaukee’s 2021 title run, and he knew that this group still had enough gas in the tank to go for at least one more run. Along with the likes of Giannis Anteotkounmpo and Khris Middleton, Lopez is going to be a key factor for the Bucks this coming season as they look to reclaim the title in 2023-24.
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