The Los Angeles Clippers just made a bold statement about their 2026 season: After trading Ivica Zubac, the front office feels confident they can depend on Brook Lopez to lead the frontcourt rotation for the rest of the season. It's a move that puts the spotlight squarely on the veteran center during a crucial playoff push in the loaded Western Conference.
Lopez has been excellent so far in February, and that recent form appears to have convinced the Clippers to stay the course with him rather than explore other options. In his last 23 games (where the Clippers are 17-6), he has averaged 7.0 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks in just 20.1 minutes. While those numbers might not jump off the page, his impact has still been there—for example, against Denver, he did not attempt a single shot in 16 minutes yet still had two steals and a block that were crucial as the Clippers tried to come back. That's the kind of glue-guy basketball that matters in tight playoff races.
The decision to keep Lopez gains important context when you look at the bigger picture of the trade deadline shake-up. The Clippers made major moves, trading away James Harden and others, fundamentally reshaping their roster. In this climate of change, they needed a steady veteran presence to stabilize the frontcourt. The Clippers asked the Indiana Pacers for Isaiah Jackson as a backup plan, yet with no other center moves at the deadline, the front office is certainly pleased with how Lopez has produced as of late. That's confidence in a 37-year-old.
As the ninth seed in the Western Conference, Lopez cannot be played off the floor at any point and will be instrumental in a push for the playoffs in the play-in tournament. It's a tall order for a 37-year-old, but he has shown this month that he is a capable 3-point shooter, knocking down 41.7% of his attempts. Combine that with his rim protection and defensive savvy, and Lopez brings exactly what the Clippers need as they make their final push. The question is whether one veteran can carry enough load alongside Kawhi Leonard to get Los Angeles where they want to go.