Brook Lopez will be hitting the free agency market this summer, and according to Frank Urbina of HoopsHype via Hoops Rumors, there are three teams emerging as prime destinations for the veteran big man.

At this stage of the free agency process, Lopez is being linked to The Brooklyn Nets, Portland Trail Blazers, and Milwaukee Bucks. Urbina pointed out that the big’s ability to shoot from the three-point distance makes him a good fit for these three teams. The HoopsHype scribe also didn’t rule out the possibility of Lopez staying with the Los Angeles Lakers, although that scenario would heavily depend on the outcome of their free agency pursuits this summer.

Here’s Urbina’s breakdown of the three leading destinations for Lopez.

Brooklyn Nets

Why the Nets? – Urbina believes there’s a chance for Lopez to reunite with the Nets, the same team that drafted and eventually traded him to the Lakers last year. Brooklyn has a blooming center in 20-year-old Jarrett Allen, who has shown incredible upside on the defensive end.

Lopez could play the role of a mentor to Allen while providing steady numbers in a very limited role with the Nets. Although the 2018-19 NBA season provides the Nets the opportunity to tank for a lottery pick for the first time since Billy King traded their first-rounders to Boston in the lopsided Garnett-Pierce trade, general manager Sean Marks stressed that they intend to compete next season.

Acquiring a steady veteran big man like Lopez would help them accomplish that goal next year.

Possible contract: Out of the three teams mentioned, the Nets could offer the most lucrative contract for Lopez.

Since Brooklyn’s projected payroll for the 2018-19 season is way below the salary cap, they could sign Lopez to a two-year, $20 million deal and still have enough money to bring a lower-tier free agent on board.

Portland Trail Blazers

Why the Blazers? – Urbina sees the Blazers as a potential suitor for Lopez, only if they let Jusuf Nurkic walk away.

Portland’s salary cap projections over the next two years aren’t looking great. They are expected to be over the cap ($111 million) next year, whether or not they keep Nurkic, and the cumbersome contracts of Evan Turner ($17 million per year), Moe Harkless ($10 million) and Meyers Leonard ($17 million) won’t be expiring until 2020.

The prospect of salary dump moves is very limited because none of these players are enticing enough for other teams unless they attach a first-round pick to the package. Moreover, Lopez might be a better fit for the Blazers because he can actually shoot the ball from the outside, creating a lot of room for Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum to operate.

Possible Contract: According to Urbina, the Blazers could offer Lopez a non-taxpayer midlevel exception worth $17 million over two years.

It’s a salary-saving move that would help the Blazers dodge luxury tax bills and still compete in the West with an All-Star caliber big man in the fold.

Milwaukee Bucks

Why the Bucks? - Milwaukee direly needs a floor-stretching center to make the offense a lot easier for Giannis Antetokounmpo. And while John Henson had put up solid numbers (9.3 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.4 blocks over 66 games) ever since the trade that sent Greg Monroe to Phoenix, his inability to hit a trey posed spacing problems for Giannis and the team.

Lopez would make things easier for the Bucks on offense. A career 33 percent three-point shooter, the veteran big will force his defenders to extend their coverage 15 feet away from the basket, creating driving lanes for Giannis and other Bucks slashers.

It's also worth mentioning that the Bucks targeted Lopez in 2015 before the big re-signed with the Nets.

Possible Contract: If Lopez wants a realistic shot at winning, Bucks prove to be the best options of the three potential landing spots. Many NBA pundits believe Milwaukee is one floor-stretching big man away to competing against the Cavs, Celtics, and Sixers in the Eastern Conference. The downside is the Bucks could only offer Lopez a non-taxpayer midlevel exception of $2 million.
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