Brook Lopez is making a return to Southern California, and while he has yet to don a Clippers jersey, the transition feels nostalgic for the seasoned center.
Welcome to #ClipperNation, Brook Lopez 👠pic.twitter.com/ZcJymgAxTQ
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) July 6, 2025
This offseason, Lopez secured a two-year contract worth $17.9 million with the Clippers and will serve as a backup to Ivica Zubac.
However, his relationship with the franchise runs deeper than just his new position.
Lopez reminisced, “He was my coach back in 2008 with the New Jersey Nets,” referencing Clippers team president Lawrence Frank. “It’s definitely a full circle moment.”
The 36-year-old weighed options from various teams during free agency, including the Lakers and Rockets, but ultimately felt a pull towards the Clippers due to their blend of experienced players and their potential to contend for a championship.
<p"Everything happened pretty quickly, but considering my options, I was genuinely excited when the Clippers reached out," Lopez shared. "They’ve been a strong team for a while, with numerous talented players, including future Hall of Famers and promising young talent. I got Zuby [Ivica Zubac]. There’s a fantastic opportunity to win a title here."
Lopez, who averaged 37.3% shooting from beyond the arc on 4.7 attempts last season, believes his diverse skill set will allow Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue to deploy him in various roles.
“We’ll see. I’m capable of a lot,” Lopez remarked. “I’m comfortable stretching the floor and playing in the post. I love defending and being the anchor on defense. At the end of the day, I just want to help the team win. Whatever role they ask of me, I’ll work as hard as possible to excel at it.”
Regarding his partnership with Zubac, Lopez stated, “I think we complement each other very well. We’ll be quite large on the court, and I believe we can be dominant defensively, controlling the paint. Offensively, we can also work together effectively, creating space for him and allowing him room to operate.”
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