Report: If Steven Adams leaves in free agency, Rockets eyeing Brook Lopez as backup plan
Report: If Steven Adams leaves in free agency, Rockets eyeing Brook Lopez as backup plan The Athletic's Kelly Iko writes: 'If (Steven) Adams leaves, team sources said the Rockets could reignite their interest in Brook Lopez.'
A busy summer ahead awaits the Rockets. @KellyIko empties the notebook on:
◽️ A potential Steven Adams replacement
◽️ Fred VanVleet's future
◽️ A looming Giannis question
The latest intel: https://t.co/KjrVqLtWKl pic.twitter.com/oMiTmR6bHN — The Athletic NBA (@TheAthleticNBA) June 3, 2025
When the Houston Rockets signed Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks in 2023 free agency, they also pursued Bucks center Brook Lopez.
But in the final hours, Lopez spurned Houston to stay in Milwaukee.
Two years later, however, the interest from a basketball standpoint is still there. If backup center Steven Adams leaves the Rockets this offseason, The Athletic's Kelly Iko reports that Houston could again pursue Lopez in free agency:
If Adams leaves, team sources said the Rockets could reignite their interest in Brook Lopez. The 37-year-old, who averaged 13.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game (while) shooting 37% from 3 in Milwaukee last season, was previously a target for Houston. He would theoretically be a fit, given his two-way production and health (played 237 games over the last three seasons).
Lopez will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason, with negotiations open to all teams on June 30.
To be clear, Houston's priority will be Adams, who is several years younger (at 31) and is coming off an extremely strong run in the 2025 NBA playoffs. But as an unrestricted free agent, he will have other options — and the Rockets can't offer a starting role, given the presence of All-Star incumbent Alperen Sengun.
Interestingly enough, one of the reasons Lopez stayed with the Bucks two years ago was presumably the fact that Milwaukee appeared much closer to title contention. But the aging Bucks are reeling and dealing with a potential trade request from franchise cornerstone Giannis Antetokounmpo, while the young and improving Rockets are coming off a 52-30 season with the NBA's fourth-best record.
The landscape has changed, and that might make the Rockets more of a draw to Lopez, this time around. However, Adams remains Houston's preference.
Both Adams and Lopez could potentially play alongside Sengun in double big lineups, which the Rockets increasingly used as the 2024-25 season progressed. The ability of Lopez to also hit 3-pointers could mitigate some of the floor spacing concerns with those units, though Adams is clearly the superior rebounder.
More: As free agency looms, Rockets hopeful of reunion with Steven Adams
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Post
an hour ago
- New York Post
Guardians' Jose Ramirez puts on defensive clinic in win over Yankees
Access the Yankees beat like never before Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Greg Joyce about the inside buzz on the Yankees. Try it free An All-Star third baseman walked into Yankee Stadium and was a wall on Wednesday night, but he wasn't dressed in pinstripes. The Guardians' José Ramírez showed what a top-flight third baseman can do on the diamond. He was a key part of two double plays and additionally hit a double in Cleveland's big first inning to kick off their 4-0 victory over the Yankees. In the bottom of the second inning, Anthony Volpe grounded to Ramírez, who completed the double play to end the frame in three batters for starting pitcher Luis Ortiz. In the bottom of the sixth, Ben Rice hit a grounder to the six-time All-Star and he was initially called safe before the Guardians successfully challenged for the double play call. Ramírez sprinted over to Ortiz on the mound and pounded the pitcher's chest in celebration just before the righty's exit. The inning ended two batters later on a grounder from Cody Bellinger. Guardians third baseman José Ramírez throws out a runner during the fifth inning of the Yankees' 4-0 loss on June 4, 2025. Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images 'It's a big sense of pride. He's always been a big supporter of myself,' Ortiz said through an interpreter of his teammate after the win. 'It was a big moment for me, knowing that somebody will support me that much like he does when he pumps me up in that situation.' 'José is the best teammate on the planet. One of the best players on the planet,' Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt added. 'A double play he turned tonight, that's super special. That's a heady play and you've got to be pretty good. But José cares about his teammates. He wanted to go pump up Luis. He wanted to make sure that he knew he did a great job and that's José.' José Ramírez rips a double during the Guardians' three-run first inning in their win over the Yankees. Getty Images Ramírez is also a big hitter at Yankee Stadium, though he didn't exactly have it on Wednesday, going 1-for-5 with two strikeouts. Nevertheless, prior to Wednesday, the five-time Silver Slugger had batted .398 with an 1.189 OPS all time at the ballpark. He has also hit nine home runs in The Bronx throughout his 13-year career. In the series opener — a 3-2 Yankees victory on Tuesday — Ramírez went 2-for-4.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Twins Announce Unfortunate Carlos Correa News Before Athletics Game
Twins Announce Unfortunate Carlos Correa News Before Athletics Game originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Minnesota Twins enter Wednesday night's game against the Athletics with a 33-27 record that ranks second in the American League Central division. Six games back of the Detroit Tigers, Minnesota owns a half-game lead over the Cleveland Guardians who won the division last season. Advertisement One of the reasons for Minnesota's success this season has been the health of its best players. In previous years, all three of Carlos Correa, Byron Buxton and Royce Lewis have missed significant time. While Lewis has spent time on the injured list this season, both Correa and Buxton have remained healthier than in previous years. Minnesota Twins shortstop Carlos Correa (4)Brett Davis-Imagn Images Appearing in 52 of Minnesota's 60 games this season, Correa owns a .665 OPS that is well down from his .905 mark when he was an All-Star last season. That said, the three-time All-Star is still a needed presence in the Twins' lineup, as his defense at shortstop has been among MLB's best since his debut in 2015. Initially slotted to play short and bat fourth in Wednesday's contest, Correa was scratched with back tightness. The Twins announced this unfortunate news in a post on X. Advertisement "Updated lineup: Brooks Lee will play SS tonight," the team wrote. "Carlos Correa has been scratched with back tightness." While Lee is an exciting switch-hitting infielder, he has yet to find his footing at the Major League level. In 358 plate appearances since debuting last season, the 24-year-old has just a 70 OPS+ that rate well-below league average. For now, Minnesota will hope the Correa issue is not too serious, but it will hold him out on Wednesday night. Related: Paul Skenes' Reaction After Leaving Astros Game Turns Heads Related: Tigers Announce Unfortunate Kerry Carpenter News Before White Sox Game This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Caitlin Clark's Behavior Toward Aliyah Boston After Missed Layup Catches Attention
The Indiana Fever are hosting the Chicago Sky on Saturday afternoon. This is the 2025 WNBA season opener for both teams. Beginning their second professional campaigns, Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese again headline their respective teams. Clark electrified fans early in this contest with a deep 3-point shot on her first field goal attempt of the season. She also threw some incredible passes that her teammates were unable to finish, notably one to 2023 Rookie of the Year Aliyah Boston. Advertisement Missing an easy shot at the rim, Boston blew Clark's assist, but the Fever point guard was quick to lift her up after the play. Clark's behavior caught the attention of WNBA fans who appreciated her leadership in this moment. "Shot out to Caitlin Clark consulting with Aaliyah Boston telling her it's fine heads up and next play! Growth from Clark," said one. "Caitlin calming Aliyah down," noted another. "She settles and finishes those, they're feasting off that exact play all season." "my abcc 🥺," said another. "Caitlin being the voice of reason for Aliyah 😭," one added. Indiana Fever forward Aliyah Boston (7) and guard Caitlin Clark (22).© David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports Boston and Clark were a dynamic duo last season. The 6-foot-5 center averaged 14.0 points and 8.9 rebounds en route to her second straight All-Star appearance. While she struggled early last season, Boston really came on down the stretch to help Indiana make its first postseason appearance since 2016. Advertisement Showing her leadership, Clark lifted up her teammate despite the early struggles against Chicago. Fans appreciated the gesture from Indiana's star point guard. Related: WNBA Facing Accusation Over Indiana Fever, Chicago Sky Decision Related: Chicago Sky Fans Upset Over Hailey Van Lith News Before Indiana Fever Game
