Before Deandre Ayton arrived to solidify the starting center spot for the Los Angeles Lakers, all sorts of options were being explored. One that will undoubtedly stick out as a bullet that was dodged would be Brook Lopez.
The veteran center received a fair amount of links to the Lakers ahead of 2025 free agency. There was even a report that Lopez had the franchise on his radar before the overblown LeBron James debacle pushed him to join the Los Angeles Clippers instead.
Ramona Shelburne and Brian Windhorst wrote, "Brook Lopez, who league sources said had strongly considered the Lakers and the potential starting role, grew wary of the uncertainty around James’ future with the team and opted to sign with the rival LA Clippers, where he will be a backup.