EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) Brook Lopez is much more to the Los Angeles Lakers than a big man with a big salary.
The Lakers acquired the 7-foot Lopez from Brooklyn last week, giving up promising guard D’Angelo Russell in a trade primarily designed to rid Los Angeles of the three remaining years on Mozgov’s onerous contract.
Lopez is getting more than $22.6 million next season in the final year of his deal, making him a necessary salary match for the trade. Yet the Lakers also coveted Lopez for his size, veteran leadership and newfound 3-point shooting ability as they rebuild the franchise on the ruins of four consecutive losing seasons.