Brook Lopez brings brings a frontcourt presence and a reliable three-point shot

LAS VEGAS - The Milwaukee Bucks solidified their frontcourt and added an outside shooter in the process, agreeing to a one-year deal with 7-foot center Brook Lopez on Sunday, according to a source.

Yahoo Sports was first to report the agreement.

Lopez, who spent nine seasons with the Nets before joining the Los Angeles Lakers last season, will slot into Milwaukee's bi-annual exception, a contract that will pay him $3,382,000 for the 2018-'19 season.

“We’re obviously having conversations with Brook and his agent, and I think we’re really close to getting something done and excited about getting him," Bucks general manager Jon Horst said in an interview on NBA TV during Milwaukee's summer-league loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday.

"And if we’re able to add a guy like that — we went into this offseason trying to find interior toughness and size, and skill and IQ, and Brook Lopez has all of those things. He’s got great size, he’s a passer, handler, shooter, even from the big spot. He’s a guy who could really help us.”

Lopez will be able to compete for Milwaukee's starting center spot, a position from which the Bucks didn't get enough production last season. John Henson, Thon Maker and Tyler Zeller anchored the middle in 2017-'18 following the trade of big man Greg Monroe, and none of them offers the level of consistent offensive effectiveness Lopez has over the years.

During his 10-year career, Lopez, 30, has averaged 17.9 points on 50.2% shooting while collecting 6.8 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game. The No. 10 overall pick in 2008, Lopez made the All-Star Game in 2013.

Over the past two seasons, Lopez added a reliable three-point shot, going 246 for 712 (34.6%) after attempting just 31 three-pointers in his first eight seasons combined. Lopez's efficiency inside and out, including his ability to stretch the floor, undoubtedly will play a role in the Bucks offense, one that centers on the slashing, inside scoring and passing abilities of second-team all-NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo.

However, while Lopez's shooting range has stretched during the past two seasons, his rebounding numbers have slipped. He was fairly consistent over his first eight seasons, averaging 8.2 rebounds per 36 minutes. That number dropped to 6.5 in 2016-'17 and went down to 6.1 in 2017-'18.

Defensively, it will be interesting to see how Lopez fits into Milwaukee's scheme. He's not quick enough to consistently switch onto smaller players, although his length, physicality and shot-blocking ability will be skills the team can work with.

With Lopez's addition, Milwaukee's roster stands at 15 players, including first-round draft pick Donte DiVincenzo and free-agent Ersan Ilyasova, who have not yet signed with the Bucks but are expected to do so. That number does not include Jabari Parker, a restricted free agent who still could return to the Bucks. Milwaukee can match any offer made to Parker, although it will have to navigate a tight salary-cap situation if Parker signs a high offer sheet with another team.

Including DiVincenzo and Lopez, the Bucks are on the hook for about $116 million in salary, which is nearly $15 million over the NBA's salary cap and about $7.7 million below the luxury-tax threshold.

With Lopez becoming the fourth center on the roster, the Bucks have the option to waive Zeller, whose $1.9 million salary is non-guaranteed. Milwaukee can also open up more space by waiving guard Brandon Jennings, whose $2.2 million contract is also non-guaranteed unless he's on the roster as of Aug. 1.

The Bucks are also expected to get some more financial wiggle room in November. That's when Mirza Teletovic's $3.5 million salary is expected to come off Milwaukee's salary cap sheet. Teletovic experienced a second occurrence of pulmonary emboli last season — the first was in 2015 — was shut down and ultimately waived by the team and is widely expected to be ruled in the coming months as medically retired.