Free agent center Robin Lopez has found a new home. The 33-year-old big man has agreed to a one-year contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers in NBA free agency, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Lopez’ contract with the Cavs is for the veteran minimum. Cleveland will be the ninth different destination in his NBA career. The 14-year veteran played for the Orlando Magic in the 2021-22 season, averaging 7.1 points and 3.5 rebounds while shooting 55.3 percent from the field in 17 minutes per game.
Lopez has been a dependable backup center in his career, a role he should be able to hold down with the Cavs behind starter Jarrett Allen. At 7-feet and 281 pounds, the burly Lopez will give the Cavs some size off the bench.
It’s been a productive NBA free agency Friday so far for Cleveland, who also signed guard Ricky Rubio to a three-year, $18.4 million contract.
Both Rubio, who excelled in Cleveland before an ACL injury cut his season short, and Lopes should help bolster the Cavs’ bench.
The next order of business for the Cavs will be bringing back guard Collin Sexton. That’s the final step to a solid offseason- unless Cleveland wants to go star-hunting for Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant, who requested a trade on Thursday.
