His brother's contract situation with the Nets may be receiving more attention, but Robin Lopez will also be facing restricted free agency this summer. While the Phoenix center is expected to explore his options, he appears unlikely to be switching uniforms. President of basketball operations Lon Babby told Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic that the Suns are "quite likely if not certain" to match any offers for Lopez (Twitter link).
To make Lopez a restricted free agent, the Suns would need to extend him a qualifying offer worth about $4MM. Bidding for free agent seven-footers generally exceeds that amount, so even though Lopez has averaged just 5.8 PPG and 3.3 RPG in 242 career games (14.4 MPG), Phoenix figures to have some competition for the 24-year-old's services.
With just over $30MM in guaranteed money committed to their 2012/13 payroll, the Suns will have the flexibility to lock up Lopez even if they're able to re-sign Steve Nash.
Robin Lopez is a bust I hope we can trade him or get rid of him. Lon B. is a fool to pay this guy for the production he gives