NBA Trade Rumors: Clippers Oddly Inquire About Robin Lopez

Robin Lopez continues to sit on pins and needles as he waits for the right team to hook on to. He is currently with the Chicago Bulls but has hardly gotten the opportunity to play, with coach Jim Boylen focusing on developing younger players.

Several teams could use a big man like Lopez such as the Golden State Warriors or the Milwaukee Bucks. The latest team to reportedly inquire about the 30-year-old center are the Los Angeles Clippers, The Athletic reported.

However, it seems talks got stalled and nothing went beyond that inquiry. Lopez holds averages of 5.9 points and 2.9 rebounds per game. He averages only around 16 minutes per outing with the Bulls pouring everything on players born 1994 or later, the Bleacher Report reported.

Talks bogging down are unsurprising. The Clips already have their share of big men in Marcin Gortat and Boban Marjanovic in the middle. Unless coach Doc Rivers feels that there is a need to tweak that rotation a bit, getting Lopez into the fold seems a bit uncanny.

There is a possibility that the Clippers could move a big (younger) man to the Bulls, someone who could fit in with the youth movement in Chicago. Unfortunately, finding that out will no longer be relevant with Robin Lopez trade talks now off the table.

The Bulls had already mentioned that they do not plan to buy out Lopez, Yahoo Sports reported. Hence, the only way the 15th pick of the 2008 NBA Draft is departing is via sensible trade. The Feb. 7 trade deadline is fast approaching and other teams could still come knocking.

With the chances of trading him getting smaller, it seems that Boylen has opted to make the most out of Lopez. With Wendell Carter Jr. ruled out for 8 to 12 weeks due to a thumb injury, Lopez has now been inserted into the starting lineup. He started for the Bulls when they faced the Atlanta Hawks last Wednesday.

Looking ahead, it seems Boylen will be sticking to Lopez for now. It seems the Chicago Bulls head coach is confident with him playing the position while Carter is recuperating from surgery to repair the ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb.

If all goes well, a Robin Lopez trade may not be needed. That all depends on whether the 30-year-old can blend in and adapt to the system Boylen is trying to put in place.