The Chicago Bulls have made it clear that center Robin Lopez is available via trade, according to Marc Stein of the New York Times. If the Bulls are unable to find a trade for the 30-year-old big man, then the team will look to buy out the center, according to Stein.
One name to file away here: Chicago’s Robin Lopez. The Bulls have made Lopez available via trade along with the former No. 2 overall draft pick Jabari Parker, according to league sources, but moving the experienced center isn’t so simple given his $14.4 million salary.
This year, Lopez is making $14.4 million as part of a four-year, $55 million contract that he signed with the New York Knicks in 2015. The Golden State Warriors are expected to have a huge interest in the center if the Bulls and Lopez reach a buyout.
There will be little need for the Bulls to keep Lopez, 30, beyond Feb. 7 if they don’t find a workable trade for him, which may set up the former Knick to emerge as one of most coveted buyout candidates. Golden State’s positional needs also could certainly change between now and then, but Kevon Looney is the closest thing to a proven center currently available to Coach Steve Kerr.
This season Lopez is averaging 6.1 points, 2.3 rebounds on 53.4 percent shooting from the field.
