'Back to work': Lakers' crucial NBA signing amid injury disaster
The Los Angeles Lakers have their new big man.
Free agent center Andre Drummond signed with the Lakers on Sunday night, he announced on Instagram, two days after officially agreeing to a contract buyout with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
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A midseason addition for the Cavaliers last season, Drummond was averaging 17.5 points and 13.5 rebounds per game when Cleveland announced they would no longer play him while seeking a trade.
Drummond was among the most attractive names on the buyout market, and was reported by Yahoo Sports' Chris Haynes to be hearing pitches from the Lakers, New York Knicks, Los Angeles Clippers, Boston Celtics and Charlotte Hornets.
News of Drummond's deal arrived just hours after the Brooklyn Nets, arguably the Lakers' biggest competition for the title, were reported to have reached a deal with LaMarcus Aldridge, another former All-Star big man on the buyout market.
Drummond joins a Lakers team that has been hit hard by injuries, with LeBron James and Anthony Davis both currently out.
James is reportedly out four to six weeks with a high ankle sprain, while Davis is reportedly "a ways away" from returning. The team is 1-4 since losing James.
Adding Drummond obviously won't replace those two All-Stars, but it could go a long way in strengthening the Lakers' big man rotation both now and in the playoffs.
Back to work. 💜💛 pic.twitter.com/aFUKp84D2O
— Andre Drummond (@AndreDrummond) March 29, 2021
Andre Drummond is averaging 17.5 PPG and 13.5 RBPG and the defending champion Lakers just got him for free.
In a Dwight Howard role like last season he will be a BEAST.
I don’t know why people act like Drummond is trash.— Ben Stinar (@BenStinar) March 29, 2021
Hail, Lakers "savior" Andre Drummond. 0-8 in playoff games while shooting 36% from the FT line. 0-1 in NCAA tourney. Now he's under the NBA's brightest spotlight. LaMarcus Aldridge would've been more valuable in this role. Good luck, 'Dre. Pity you.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) March 29, 2021
Los Angeles currently relies on the duo of Montrezl Harrell and Marc Gasol to man the paint, but Drummond will likely take over as the starting center.
The 27-year-old Drummond has fallen off a bit from his All-Star peak with the Detroit Pistons, but remains an elite rebounder and competent enough on both ends of the court to be a quality starter on a playoff team.
He may see some time at power forward to begin his Lakers tenure due to Davis' absence, but will probably work exclusively as a 5 in the postseason.
In Drummond, Harrell and Gasol, the Lakers now have three very talented, very different big men to play alongside Davis when healthy.
Harrell is the most offensively explosive of the group, while Gasol is the only one who has made a 3-pointer this year. Drummond might represent the best two-way value, though.
However the Lakers decide to use the trio, it's unlikely more than one of the three will be on the court at the same time if Davis is healthy. There will almost certainly be times Davis plays the 5 as well, just like in last year's playoffs.
Yahoo Sport US/Jack Baer
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