The heartbeat of LA Clipper fans worldwide began to skip several beats faster once Clint Capela, a former teammate of James Harden and someone who was discussed as a potential suitor in the second unit, signed with the Houston Rockets. This news did not make sense, as Houston already has Alperen Şengün and Steven Adams, yet it is the reality LA had to face quickly.
Another name taken off the market was Luke Kornet, who signed with the San Antonio Spurs. He would have been a flawless fit with his championship experience and rim-protecting abilities, but rightfully so, what sounded more appealing to him was uniting with Victor Wembanyama.
Options were fading away, and all of the names the Clippers were rumored to target were essentially gone. This led fans to believe that Drew Eubanks would be back for the final season of his contract or that rookie Yanic Konan Niederhauser had won the second-string spot without competing for it.
Despite the provoked rise in concern, executive Lawrence Frank had a plan all along: to sign Brook Lopez, the best center on the market, who elevates the second unit perfectly.
Free agent center Brook Lopez has agreed to a two-year, $18 million deal with the Los Angeles Clippers, sources tell ESPN. Clippers and Lopez's agents at Wasserman negotiate a new deal for the 2021 Bucks champion to exit Milwaukee and land in Los Angeles. pic.twitter.com/vmxiXtoGqu
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2025
The LA Clippers’ first free agent signing will likely be their best as they added an elite, sharpshooting big man in Brook Lopez
Although Brook Lopez and Giannis Antetokounmpo seemed like a one-two punch that was not going to split up any time soon, the LA Clippers moved in complete silence by not allowing a single rumor to slip out. Relatively no sources had linked the former Milwaukee Buck to LA, yet it still happened, proving Lawrence Frank’s superpowers to be surreal.
Lopez signed with the Clippers on a massive steal of a deal of two years worth just $18 million. This is sensational for a big man who played 80 games next to Antetokounmpo this season and averaged 13.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.8 assists, shooting 50.9% from the field and 37.3% from a distance.
Having this type of center production behind Ivica Zubac is a significant win for the Clippers, as he can shoot, swat shots, and impact the game at a high level. Zubac can officially sip water and rest his body on the bench at ease.
That said, Zubac is the most prominent beneficiary of this signing, and it also shows that Frank did not waste any time in considering the pressure he had on his body, especially in the playoffs.