The Los Angeles Lakers were a finalist for free agent center Brook Lopez, but uncertainty about LeBron James' future with the franchise reportedly factored into his decision for signing with the Clippers.

I identified two needs for the Clippers, ones that mirrored their needs for the draft but were more acute because the Clippers needed short-term playable options: ball handling and frontcourt help. One of my named targets was Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez.

The Clippers got the backup center they have yearned for when Brook Lopez agreed to a two-year, $18-million deal, according to people not authorized to speak publicly on the matter. Lopez, who spent the last seven seasons with Milwaukee,