42 Robin Lopez C

Lopez managed 11 points (3-7 FG, 5-5 FT), one rebound and two blocks across 28 minutes in the Bulls' 97-91 loss to the Magic on Thursday in Mexico City.

Lopez continues to be good for the occasional double-digit scoring effort, although when those will come remains very unpredictable. The 11 year-veteran does serve as an effective safety net behind inconsistent rookie Wendell Carter ,Jr., but his fantasy value is still primarily limited to deeper formats and as a DFS punt play.

Lopez tallied 17 points (8-10 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 1-1 FT), five rebounds, two assists, and one block in 23 minutes during Wednesday's 116-113 loss to the Bucks.

Lopez had his best game of the season Wednesday, finishing with 17 points in 23 minutes. He has worked his way into the rotation of late but is still merely a backup. This is likely more of an outlier, and Lopez remains a non-factor in most formats.

Lopez has played at least 12 minutes in each of the Bulls' last eight games.

The veteran was out of the rotation earlier in the season, but he's reclaimed the backup center spot behind rookie Wendell Carter, Jr. in recent weeks. Lopez played 16 minutes and finished with seven points and two rebounds in Saturday's loss to Minnesota, which came on the heels of a nine-point, six-rebound performance a night earlier against Miami. Still, Lopez remains a fringe option in most fantasy leagues, and it remains to be seen how the impending returns of Lauri Markkanen and Bobby Portis, both of whom could play some small-ball center, will impact his status in the rotation.

Lopez has been held out of each of the Bulls' last two games.

The motivation behind the decision is unclear, but Lopez appears to have been supplanted by rookie Wendell Carter, as well as Cristiano Felicio, the latter of which is considerably more surprising. For the time being, Lopez should be avoided in DFS contests, and it remains to be seen whether the Bulls will eventually seek a trade for the 30-year-old, whose contract expires next summer.

Lopez will come off the bench for Thursday's season opener against the 76ers, Mike McGraw of the Chicago Daily Herald reports.

Coach Fred Hoiberg apparently liked what he saw from rookie center Wendell Carter in the starting five towards the end of the preseason, and Hoiberg will stick with that to open the season. Lopez saw 26.4 minutes per game last year, but could have trouble reaching that mark this season.