MILWAUKEE — After a second straight playoff exit, rumors swirled this offseason that the Milwaukee Bucks were open to trade veteran Brook Lopez.

Lopez, a former NBA All-Star and a key part of the Bucks’ 2021 NBA title run, has remained one of the NBA’s best centers. In 79 regular-season games in 2023-24, Lopez averaged 12.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 2.4 blocks while shooting 48.5 percent from the field, 36.6 percent from three-point range and 82.1 percent from the free-throw line — reliable numbers, albeit down from his career averages.

He’s set to make $23 million in the final year of his contract, and there’s the most important number: Lopez is 36. Hence the buzz around the trade.

But according to ESPN insider Brian Windhorst, The Hoops CollectiveThe Bucks are no longer dealing with the NBA veteran.

“Right now, I’ve been told clearly that they’re not going to trade him,” Windhorst said. “And Brook, too. Brook heard some of the rumors and said, ‘Hey, what’s going on?’ They said, ‘No, we’re not going to trade you.’”

Lopez has been a towering rim protector for the Milwaukee Bucks since joining the team in 2018-19. He earned first-team All-Defense honors just two seasons ago at age 34.

He also brings value as a non-traditional center who can get outside the arc and space the floor with his three-point shot.

So it looks like Lopez is back for his 17th NBA season. He joins a familiar roster with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton and Damian Lillard, along with new signings Gary Trent Jr., Delon Wright and Taurean Prince.

Training camp begins on October 3.

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