2020 NBA Free Agency: Grading all three moves the Washington Wizards made on day one
By Ethan Smith
Free Agency Move #3: Sign Robin Lopez
The Washington Wizards needed to address their center position at some point. After failing to pick up a big man in the draft, free agency seemed like the most likely place to find a new frontcourt piece. With their last move on night one of free agency, the Washington Wizards agreed to terms with Robin Lopez. Keith Smith of Yahoo Sports first reported the news.
League source: Robin Lopez has agreed to terms with the Washington Wizards.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) November 21, 2020
Lopez, a 12-year NBA veteran, spent last season with the Milwaukee Bucks as a backup center. He averaged 5.4 points and 2.4 rebounds in 14.5 minutes per game while shooting 49 percent from the floor. One interesting wrinkle from last season — Lopez averaged about four times more three-point attempts per game (1.6) than he did during any previous season in his career. He shot 33 percent from outside during the 2019-20 campaign. At this point in his career, though, Lopez is below average at both the offensive and defensive ends.
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Lopez is an addition at the center position, but he’s not an upgrade. There’s a reason that he played less than 21 total minutes throughout the Bucks’ ten-game playoff run last season. At slightly less than the full mid-level exception, he’s overpaid, too. Lopez is a good screen setter, and his veteran knowledge and leadership will be valuable to Thomas Bryant as he continues to develop. However, if this is the only upgrade the Wizards are making, then that’s a problem. I guess they have a lot of faith in Thomas Bryant.