Nick Crain | 12/24/22

Over the past decade, the style of play in the NBA has changed drastically. It’s now a 3-point shooting league, meaning it’s nearly impossible to win at the highest level without filling it up from beyond the arc.   For example, in the 2012-13 season, the New York Knicks led the league in 3-point attempts at 28.9 per game. This season, the Chicago Bulls shoot the fewest in the NBA at 28.6 per contest.   The game has simply changed, as offenses are perimeter oriented. Not only have teams been forced to adapt, but players have too.   The greatest example of this is Brook Lopez, who is a completely different player now than he was when he entered the NBA.   Through his first eight seasons in the league, Lopez attempted just 31 triples. In his ninth season, he completely remodeled his game and attempted 387 in the 2016-17 campaign alone, knocking down nearly 35% of them.   Following that season, Lopez hit free agency, where he bet on himself. Teams had never seen a 7-footer change their game that much so quickly, so the sample size was too small to sign him to a lucrative long-term deal.   Instead, Lopez signed a one-year deal worth $3.38 million to prove himself. That very next season, he took 325 shots from deep with similar efficiency. This proved he was a legitimate stretch center and betting on himself paid off.   Following the “prove it” year, Lopez signed a four-year deal worth $52 million.   This season with the Bucks, Lopez is shooting a career-high 40.4% from the floor. He’s a cornerstone piece of a championship in Milwaukee at 34 years old, and it’s all because he adapted to the modern game.   Now, Lopez is set to be a free agent this summer when he’ll look to gain perhaps his last big contract in the NBA.   ProFitX projects he’ll be worth almost $20 million next season at age 35. Between his ability to space the floor while also being one of the best defenders in the league, Lopez is worth the investment still.