Andre Drummond’s novel comes to an end. Although it was an open secret, no one could confirm it. In addition, the addition of the Celtics in the last hours to the interest in the pivot, made that nothing could be given for certain. But finally, as announced by Adrian Wojnarowski from ESPN, Drummond will drop the list of waivers in the next few hours after being cut by the Cleveland Cavaliers, and will sign to end the season with the Los Angeles Lakers.
The center was cut after the Cavs couldn’t get a package that would seduce them in the transfer market. His arrival in Los Angeles is not a surprise. The Lakers name has been linked to Drummond since it was known that the player would have no future in Cleveland. In addition to his well-known friendship with Anthony Davis, several Lakers players have been trying to recruit the center, selling him as the starting center to defend the Los Angeles championship title.
With the injury absences of Anthony Davis and LeBron James, the Lakers hope Drummond’s impact will be immediate. Also, when the team is fully healthy, their rim protection and rebounding ability will help the Angelenos, who have not had a great production in those areas with their two stars offside.
Drummond is averaging 17.5 points and 13.5 rebounds per game this season, close to his career highs. The center has only played 25 games this season, and has not played minutes since February 12. So his conditioning is still unknown, and it has not been reported yet when he could make his debut.
For now, as reported by Brad Turner from the L.A. Times, Drummond will be present accompanying his new teammates in the game that the Lakers have tonight at Staples Center, hosting the Orlando Magic. It remains to be seen in the future, once he debuts with the team, how Frank Vogel builds the rotation with such big names as Montrez Harrell, Marc Gasol and Drummond himself.
*Developing
(Cover photo by Jason Miller / Getty Images)
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