The Golden State Warriors often went into postseason games this year without a non-traditional center in their starting lineup. Instead, they went with Draymond Green, standing at 6-foot-6, as their starting man in the middle. While we don’t know how things would have changed if Stephen Curry didn’t get hurt in Game 1 of their second round matchup with the Minnesota Timberwolves, they lost in five games. With their eyes firmly on the offseason now, could Brook Lopez be an option for the Warriors in free agency?
ESPN’s Bobby Marks Names Center FA Option For Warriors
Could Brook Lopez Be An Option For The Warriors?
With a glaring need for a starting center, and only currently owning one 2025 NBA Draft pick (41st overall), free agency may have to be the route for Golden State to add one. The top free agent at the position, Myles Turner, is likely to be too pricey for the Warriors. ESPN’s Bobby Marks instead suggests another option for Golden State at the position. On ESPN’s NBA Today, Marks stated,
“I think the one name to keep an eye on regarding the center position is Brook Lopez… If you can get him on a one-year flyer here to patch up that center position.”
Bobby Marks on the Warriors:
“I think the one name to keep an eye on regarding that center position is Brook Lopez” pic.twitter.com/OyjxdjaTnr
— Oh No He Didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) May 15, 2025
Now 17 years deep into his NBA career, Lopez turned 37 years old on April 1. The one-time All-Star (back in 2012-13) has spent the last seven seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks. The team’s starting center throughout his tenure there, the 7-foot-1 big man started all 23 postseason games en route to their 2021 NBA championship. He was the runner-up for Defensive Player of the Year behind Jaren Jackson Jr. in 2022-23.
In 80 regular season games in 2024-25, Lopez posted averages of 13.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.6 steals, and 1.9 blocks. The two-time All-Defensive player shot 50.9% from the field, 37.3% from three-point range, and 82.6% from the free-throw line.
Already Have An Older Core
While Lopez would certainly upgrade the Warriors current center depth chart, it would further another issue. Golden State already has one of the older starting lineups due to their three core players. Adding Lopez to that starting five would make it even older.
Stephen Curry turned 37 on March 14. Jimmy Butler, acquired by the team in early February, will turn 36 on September 14. Draymond Green turned 35 on March 4. That’s three guys in their mid-to-late 30s in their starting lineup, and Lopez would be a fourth. Regardless of who is the fifth member of their starting lineup such as Brandin Podziemski (22 years old), Jonathan Kuminga (restricted free agent, turns 23 on October 6), or someone else, that would have to be one of the oldest starting lineups in recent memory.
The Warriors current center rotation includes Kevon Looney (free agent), Quinten Post (team option), and Trayce Jackson-Davis. Other free agent options this offseason include Jaxson Hayes, Day’Ron Sharpe (restricted), Steven Adams, Clint Capela, Naz Reid (player option), Moritz Wagner (team option), Al Horford, and Luke Kornet.
Photo credit: © Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
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