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The Milwaukee Bucks have accomplished their two most important goals of the NBA free agency period. First, they agreed to a three-year $102 million contract with Khris Middleton on Friday night. On Saturday, Shams Charania of The Athletic reported on Twitter that Brook Lopez is also re-signing with Milwaukee.
The Bucks are able to re-sign Lopez to a deal worth $24 million per year because they own his Bird rights. This allows them to re-sign their own players while exceeding the salary cap.
Lopez averaged 15.9 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game in a season that saw him finish second in Defensive Player of the Year voting.
The Houston Rockets were in heavy pursuit of Lopez, reportedly willing to offer him a two-year $20 million deal, and more if need be. However, the Bucks must have matched the money figure and Lopez decided to stay in Milwaukee where he has a better chance of winning.
With their two most important free agents back, the Bucks will now look to fill their roster with veteran role players. The Middleton and Lopez contracts push Milwaukee over the cap, but they are under the super tax apron right now.