Portland Trail Blazers rumors: Blazers risk losing Lopez
It seems that the Portland Trail Blazers have more to worry about than just losing LaMarcus Aldridge when the market opens in the NBA, as reports revealed that there are numerous teams vying to get center, Robin Lopez.
It seems that the Blazers organization is quickly losing grasp on their core players as they already lost Nicolas Batum to the Charlotte Hornets and other stars are opting out.
Arron Afflalo has decided to go through free agency and Wesley Matthews has also been targeted by other teams.
The biggest name so far is Aldridge, who is said to be the main target by big teams including the Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs –- and all signs point to the power forward moving out of Oregon.
However, Portland will surely take a big hit if they lose Lopez to another team. The 27-year-old has been the best under-the-basket defender that they have and has worked diligently to help the team reach their current status.
In his two seasons with the Blazers, Lopez has averaged 10.5 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. He is also a very efficient scorer, making 53% of his shots in his seven-year career in the NBA.
Lopez signed a three-year contract back in 2012 which earned him around $15.3 million and should earn a significantly bigger deal this coming season.
There are many teams reportedly out to try and lure Lopez in, with the New Orleans Pelicans as a suitor with Alvin Gentry as their new coach. Gentry and Lopez have history together when they were both part of the Phoenix Suns as a coach and young center, respectively.
The Milwaukee Bucks is another team looking to add to their young roster while the New York Knicks is trying to get players to help Carmelo Anthony.
Talks have circulated that Lopez is also targeted by the Lakers who might try and get Lopez and Aldridge together to easily form a formidable front court.