It’s a tough time to be Giannis Antetokounmpo right now. First, he had to sit back and watch as one of his closest friends and longtime teammates, Khris Middleton, got shipped off to the Washington Wizards. And if that wasn’t bad enough, it looks like history might be about to repeat itself.

First covered by ShotCoverage, and now the Athletic’s Rob Peterson, the Milwaukee Bucks apparently have little interest in retaining Brook Lopez’s services. Lopez’s $48 million, 2-year contract with the Bucks is set to expire this summer. And he will be an unrestricted free agent if the Bucks choose not to re-sign him.

It seems Giannis Antetokounmpo is in to lose another teammate this summer. After all, he and Brook were quite close. Lopez even labeled Giannis the “best player on the planet” after Giannis scored 41 points against the Chicago Bulls in November. But here’s the thing—we might not see this duo back together after this season wraps up.

But ever since the All-Star break—and with Bobby Portis Jr. slapped with that massive 25-game suspension—Brook has seriously stepped up. In just three games, he’s been putting up 19 points a night while shooting a scorching 57.5%. His performances have eased the burden on Giannis’ shoulders quite a bit. But surely hearing these rumors will put a damper on his attitude heading into the Bucks’ upcoming game. 

Still, it’s not too hard to see why the Bucks might be looking to move on. Lopez is 36, pushing 37, and let’s be real—he’s not exactly built for the grind of playing every night anymore. Plus, against younger, faster teams, his lack of agility can be a liability.

That said, the veteran big man has been looking rejuvenated ever since Bobby Portis Jr.’s unexpected suspension. So, if the Bucks decide to part ways, where could Brook Lopez take his talents next? Let’s dive in.

Exploring potential destinations for Giannis’ teammate Brook Lopez this summer

If Brook Lopez ends up leaving Giannis Antetokounmpo’s side this summer, he’s gonna need a new home. And when you start looking at potential landing spots, one team stands out above the rest—the Los Angeles Lakers.

They’ve been scrambling ever since the Mark Williams trade fell apart earlier this month, and if you need proof of their struggles, just look at their recent loss to the Utah Jazz.

It was a brutal reminder that they desperately need a reliable big man. Could Lopez be the answer?

When Jaxson Hayes went down with an injury, JJ Redick was left with no choice but to give a look at their new signee, Alex Len. The problem was, Len had only just joined the team the day before, and it showed.

Utah poured on 19 points in just a few minutes of Len’s time on the court, and by the end of the night, he’d managed a paltry 4 points.

And this is where Brook’s offensive ability will prove an asset for the Lakers. Especially against sides like the Denver Nuggets who have out muscled the Lakers in the past.

Another team that may wish to acquire Lopez’s services is the Philadelphia 76ers. But the worst news for Sixers fans is that Joel Embiid may require surgery for his knee troubles.

Even if Embiid does play through injury again before getting the surgery, he will probably miss a sizeable chunk of next season. And Brook Lopez can slot in perfectly alongside the likes of Guerschon Yabusele and Andre Drummond, providing Nick Nurse a wealth of options at center in Embiid’s absence.

In a similar vein, the Dallas Mavericks also remain a viable destination for the veteran. In an unprecedented situation, all of their centers were out for a good while.

This exposed how bereft of quality options they are at center. However, with the uptick in Brook’s form—he could be the perfect backup to Daniel Gafford.

Let’s be real, the Milwaukee Bucks are the perfect fit for Brook Lopez. With a couple of seasons left in the tank, he’d be wise to stick with Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks, helping them make another deep playoff run – and maybe even clinch that elusive NBA title. We’ve seen it before, and we know they’ve got the chemistry and talent to do it again.