Free agent big man unlikely to betray brother by signing with Boston Celtics

Free agent big man Robin Lopez is unlikely to betray his brother, Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez, in order to sign with the Boston Celtics as a last-second buyout addition according to MassLive's Brian Robb.

"Do the Celtics want some intel on their chief competition in the East? That would probably be the only reason to bring the center in, although it feels unlikely he would betray his brother like that," Robb wrote in a piece highlighting eight potential free agent options with the C's final roster spot.

Robin signed with the Bucks for his second stint in July 2023 but was dealt to the Sacramento Kings at the 2024 trade deadline. He still showed up to a game to support his brother and former team play the Minnesota Timberwolves on February 8.

While Lopez would be a fun addition to a locker room that is just as serious as they are playful, it sounds as though his bond with his own brother, if not necessarily the Bucks, would keep him from joining the Celtics.

Xavier Tillman trade deadline addition makes a Robin Lopez signing redundant for Boston Celtics

Lopez would be a luxury for the Cs, which doesn't need a big man like it did before the trade deadline given the acquisition of Xavier Tillman. The former Memphis Grizzlies big's arrival not only precludes a signing like Lopez, but also likely keeps Neemias Queta on a two-way contract for the rest of the season.

"At this point, I don’t like Queta’s odds of being converted to a standard deal unless there is some kind of injury in the frontcourt," Robb wrote. "The acquisition of Xavier Tillman gives Boston some added playable depth next to Luke Kornet and Al Horford on Boston’s bench so it’s hard to envision the team cutting another player to add what would be a fifth-string center if this group is healthy. Keeping Queta on a two-way now also gives the Celtics more potential flexibility to sign him this offseason with an added year on his deal (for a standard contract)."

Perhaps in the future, Lopez could join the Cs as a ring-chasing vet in the twilight of his career. With Tillman in tow, neither Lopez nor a young gun like Queta is expected to be added to Boston's frontcourt this season.