Andre Drummond Intends to Signal Lakers Contract After Cavaliers Buyout
David Zalubowski/Linked Press
Free-agent center Andre Drummond intends to affix the Los Angeles Lakers when he clears waivers Sunday.
Agent Jeff Schwartz educated ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski of the choice.
While the team has now not announced any settlement, Drummond took to Instagram to let followers know he’s nice looking to secure “Inspire to work.”
The Detroit Pistons selected Drummond with the ninth total obtain within the 2012 NBA draft. The 2-time All-Enormous title and 4-time rebounding champion spent his first seven-plus seasons with the Pistons, who traded Drummond to the Cleveland Cavaliers in February 2020. He moreover made the All-NBA Third Staff staunch during the 2015-16 season.
Drummond, 27, averaged 17.5 points, 13.5 rebounds and 1.6 steals in 25 video games for the Cavaliers, who offered out the rest of his contract Friday. He hadn’t conducted for the Cavs since mid-February as the team sat Drummond in hopes of finding a commerce partner or seeking out out the rest of his contract. Cleveland ended up doing the latter amid a troublesome season that has considered the team fade 17-29.
There had been no obvious at the encourage of-the-scenes points between Drummond and the Cavs, and Cleveland long-established supervisor Koby Altman praised him on the kind out, per the Linked Press:
“I are seeking to thank Andre for his contributions to our team each and every on and off the court docket, and for his professionalism and mutual cooperation as we navigated through this direction of with him and his representation. We’ve got immense appreciate for Andre as a particular person and a player right here in Cleveland and we’re happy to enjoy reached an consequence that’s within the finest hobby of every and every Andre and our team.”
For his occupation, Drummond has averaged 14.6 points, 13.8 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per sport.
Drummond now joins his third NBA team within the Lakers, who hope the 6’10” broad man’s presence will vault them to postseason success.
The short-handed Lakers enjoy struggled of unhurried with injuries to Anthony Davis and LeBron James. They’ll moreover use more lend a hand at the 5 in train of Marc Gasol, who has loved an glorious searching NBA occupation but is slowing down at age 36 (4.8 PPG, 4.0 RPG). Drummond might per chance moreover merely be of provider and obtain an ravishing one-two punch with backup broad Montrezl Harrell.