As the NBA trade deadline approaches, numerous teams are actively making moves. In the latest trade rumor involving the Sacramento Kings, it has been revealed that they have waived Robin Lopez, presumably to free up cap space.
Similar transactions are occurring throughout the NBA, with the recent trade of Dalano Banton from the Celtics to the Blazers being the most recent example.
Kings part ways with veteran center after acquisition
It was reported that the Sacramento Kings have decided to part ways with their newly acquired big man. Robin Lopez was recently acquired by the Kings from the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday in a salary dump deal.
However, the Kings were in no shortage of big men in their roster. They already have Domantas Sabonis as their starting center with Alex Lena and JaVale McGee serving as bench options.
When the trade took place it was expected that the Kings would probably waive off Lopez and the deal was done to help the Bucks out with cap management. The Kings fulfilled those expectations as they announced their decision to waive Robin Lopez to free up the fifteenth spot on their roster.
Kings absorb Lopez’s minimum-salary hit
On the other hand, Robin Lopez has not been the most impactful starter this season. He has only played in 16 games for the Bucks, recording 18 points, four assists, and five rebounds in just 65 minutes of game time. This stat line falls far short of the best players in the league, casting a negative image of the player in front of any franchise.
The Kings will reportedly absorb Lopez’s minimum salary ($2 million) and he will be a free agent once he clears the waivers. He would be able to sign with any team he desires except the Milwaukee Bucks, who recently had a head coach change.
This has been a common practice in the NBA, where teams assist each other by trading for players and subsequently waiving those players deemed unnecessary. Absorbing Lopez’s salary could enable the Kings to better manage their salary cap, potentially opening up opportunities to acquire more talent for the 15th-man spot on the roster.
Which team do you think Lopez would sign with when he becomes a free agent? We are eager to know your thoughts, so drop them down in the comments and let us know.
