Career Countdown: Can 36-Year-Old Robin Lopez Find a New NBA Home?

Robin Lopez, a 36-year-old veteran center and twin brother of NBA champion Brook Lopez, is facing an uncertain future as he searches for a new team. With 16 seasons under his belt, Robin has had a respectable career, but the NBA’s free agency period has been unforgiving. As the days tick by, his prospects of securing a new contract are diminishing, and the possibility of his NBA career coming to an end seems increasingly likely.

Robin Lopez recently made an appearance at Goran Dragić’s farewell game in Slovenia, an event that showcased the extensive network Dragić has built throughout his career. The game brought together a star-studded lineup, including Luka Dončić, Nikola Jokić, Dirk Nowitzki, Steve Nash, Chris Bosh, Nikola Vučević, Bogdan Bogdanović, Luis Scola, and Josh Richardson, to name a few. Robin, a former teammate of Dragić on the Phoenix Suns, was there to support his friend, but the event also prompted some reflection on his own career.

In an interview with Eurohoops during the event, Robin Lopez spoke candidly about the possibility of retirement. Watching Dragić’s career come to a close made him consider his own future, and he acknowledged that he is prepared to accept retirement if it comes to that. “If it happens, it happens,” Lopez said. “My career might not have been as illustrious as Goran’s, but I’m grateful for everything I’ve had.” When asked if he would consider playing in Europe after his NBA career, Lopez responded, “Absolutely, I’d consider it. I know how passionate the fans are over there and how high the level of basketball is.”

The reality is that Robin Lopez’s NBA career may indeed be nearing its end. With the free agency period now well past the two-month mark, Lopez remains unsigned, a troubling sign for any veteran player. For Lopez, this drought has stretched beyond two months, as it has now been nearly six months since he last played in an NBA game.

Last season, Lopez signed with the Milwaukee Bucks, but his opportunities were limited. He appeared in just 16 games, averaging a mere 4.1 minutes per game and contributing only 1.1 points per contest. As the trade deadline approached, the Bucks, looking to save luxury tax money and free up a roster spot, traded Lopez to the Sacramento Kings. The Kings promptly waived him, leaving Lopez without a team for the remainder of the season. What was perhaps most telling was the way Lopez handled the news of his trade. Rather than leaving the game early after learning of the trade, Lopez stayed on the bench, calmly reading a book, and continued to do so from the first quarter until the game’s end.

Even before his short stint with the Bucks, Lopez’s performance had been on the decline. During the 2021-22 season with the Cleveland Cavaliers, he played in 37 games, averaging 8.1 minutes and just 3.0 points per game. Given these struggles, some fans speculated that the Bucks’ decision to sign Lopez last summer might have been more about loyalty or sentimentality than basketball reasons, similar to how the Bucks have previously treated Giannis Antetokounmpo’s brothers, Thanasis and Kostas.

So, with his NBA career seemingly on the brink of closure, how should Robin Lopez’s career be evaluated? He may not have achieved the same level of success as his twin brother, Brook, but Robin has carved out his own unique path in the league. Selected 15th overall in the 2008 NBA Draft, Robin Lopez has played for a total of eight teams, logging 16 years of service and 992 games. His career averages of 8.4 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game, with a 53.7% shooting percentage, are respectable, particularly for a player who often took on a supporting role.

Lopez’s peak years spanned from 2012 to 2018 when he played for the New Orleans Hornets, Portland Trail Blazers, New York Knicks, and Chicago Bulls. During this period, his production was consistent, hovering around 10 points and 7 rebounds per game. While these numbers may not compare to his brother’s, they were solid enough to make Lopez a reliable starter on some of these teams.

One of the defining differences between the Lopez twins has been their adaptation to the evolving NBA. Neither Robin nor Brook started their careers as three-point shooters, but Brook developed a reliable outside shot starting in 2016, extending his career and allowing him to become a key player for the Bucks, even helping them win an NBA championship. Robin, on the other hand, never quite made that adjustment. His static athleticism, combined with less basketball IQ and skill development compared to his brother, left him struggling to find a role as the NBA shifted toward small-ball and more perimeter-oriented big men. This inability to adapt has led to a somewhat nomadic career in its later stages, with Robin playing for four different teams over his last four seasons.

Despite never reaching the heights of All-Star or All-NBA honors, Robin Lopez has been financially successful. At his peak, he earned close to $15 million per season, and his career earnings are estimated to be near $100 million. In many ways, this makes him a winner in life, having secured financial stability for himself and his family through his basketball career.

But Robin Lopez’s legacy isn’t solely defined by his on-court performances. In a league filled with larger-than-life personalities, Lopez has become somewhat of an NBA icon in his own right, though not for the reasons one might expect. If Brook Lopez is known for his on-court accomplishments, Robin is equally well-known for his antics off the court, particularly his ongoing “feud” with NBA mascots. Over the years, Robin has engaged in countless humorous interactions with team mascots, whether it be playfully abducting them, pretending to engage in boxing matches, or teaming up with his teammates to “assault” them. These antics have become so legendary that multiple mascots have staged “protests” against him, all in good fun, of course.

This playful persona has become such a significant part of his identity that when you search for Robin Lopez on popular video platforms, the first suggestions often relate to his encounters with mascots, rather than his career highlights or comparisons to his brother. While his basketball skills might not be the most memorable, there’s little doubt that many fans will fondly recall the joy and humor he brought to the league through these light-hearted interactions.

As the start of the new NBA season approaches, there remains a slim chance that a team might take a chance on Robin Lopez, perhaps valuing his veteran presence and locker room character over his current on-court production. If not, Lopez could very well explore opportunities in Europe, where his experience and personality could still find a receptive audience.

Robin Lopez’s career may not have been as decorated or celebrated as some of his peers, but he has undoubtedly left his mark on the NBA in his own unique way. Whether or not he finds a new team, his contributions to the league, both serious and humorous, will be remembered by fans and teammates alike. And if the curtain does fall on his NBA career, Lopez can walk away with his head held high, knowing he made the most of the opportunities he was given.