16-Year NBA Veteran Open to Resume Playing Career in Europe

Saturday marked the official end of the basketball career of Slovenian legend Goran Dragic. The 15-year NBA guard was the focal point of a charity basketball game that featured many other premier NBA stars. This includes Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, Dirk Nowitzki, Steve Nash, and Chris Bosh. Additionally, 16-year veteran Robin Lopez took part in the game. Lopez and Dragic came into the NBA together with the Phoenix Suns in 2008.

In an interview after Dragic’s farewell game, Lopez spoke about where his playing career will continue from here. Lopez revealed that he would be open to playing in Europe (YouTube link).

“I’d absolutely consider it. I know how passionate the fans are and how high the level of basketball is.”

The California native has not appeared in an NBA game since the Milwaukee Bucks traded him to the Sacramento Kings in February. Sacramento waived Lopez immediately after the trade, and he remained unsigned the rest of the way.

Last season, Lopez averaged 1.1 points in 4.1 minutes over 16 games with the Bucks.

In addition to the Suns and Bucks, Lopez has played for the New Orleans Hornets, Portland Trail Blazers, New York Knicks, Chicago Bulls, Washington Wizards, Orlando Magic, and Cleveland Cavaliers.

16-Year NBA Veteran Open to Resume Playing Career in Europe

Retirement is An Option for Robin Lopez

In the same interview, Lopez was open about the possibility of retiring from the NBA soon, saying “If it happens, it happens.”

“If it happens, it happens,” he said. “I’ve had a great career so far, not as good as Goran’s, but I’m thankful for everything I’ve been given.”

Even though the 36-year-old was in the league last season, he has not had a consistent role since averaging 17 minutes per game with the Magic in 2021-22. At 7’1″, Lopez offers good size and is a good veteran presence for teams looking to add an extra big man. However, his on-court abilities have worsened over the last few years of his career. Lopez can still be a solid pickup for an NBA team in 2024. However, due to his age and the fact that he remains unsigned late in August does not bode well for his NBA career.

The Last Word on Robin Lopez

If this is the end of Lopez’s time in the NBA, it is fair to say he had a solid career. He played in the NBA for 16 years after getting selected in the first round of the 2008 NBA Draft. Additionally, he played alongside his twin brother Brook Lopez two separate times with the Bucks. Lopez was never an elite big man, but he was serviceable, especially at his peak.

His best season was arguably his 2013-14 campaign with the Trail Blazers. On the year, Lopez started all 82 games for the team. In those games, he averaged 11.1 points on 55.1% shooting, 8.5 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks. He also finished 15th in Most Improved Player voting.

Over the course of his career, Lopez averaged 8.4 points while shooting 53.7% from the floor. Additionally, he averaged 4.7 rebounds and 1.1 blocks over 992 career games.