Houston (USA), March 27 (EFE) .- The injury of the All-Star center Anthony Davis and the inconsistency shown by the Spanish Marc Gasol and Montrezl Harrell, so far this season, has made Los Angeles Lakers have been interested in getting number five Andre Drummond, who tomorrow, Sunday, leaves the exemptions.
Although officially the Lakers have not made any comment, sources close to the current league champions have reported that the contacts between the player’s agent and the managers of the Los Angeles team have already taken place and it has emerged as the favorite club.
The Lakers’ goal, if they get Drummond signed, is for him to be the starter instead of Gasol, who is not performing at his best in any facet of the game.
While the Lakers technical team believes that with Drummond in the starting five, his contribution in the paint would have an immediate impact on team play.
In addition, it is expected that he can also be of great help to Davis when in the playoff competition he can dedicate minutes in the position of five, since now, before he was injured, he played as number four while Gasol was the starting center and Harrell came out as the sixth player.
Drummond and his agent, Jeff Schwartz, have had discussions with several teams since they reached a purchase with the Cleveland Cavaliers last Friday, including the Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, New York Knicks, Boston Celtics, Charlotte Hornets and other teams over the NBA.
Drummond, 27, who already posted a “Thank you Cleveland” on his Twitter account, agreed to purchase the remainder of the $ 27.9 million (23.5 million euros) he has left in his 2020-2021 contract and starting this summer he will become a free agent.
The All-Star center has not played since February 12, after he and the Cavaliers decided that they would separate until a trade, which could not be made before Thursday of this week, or purchase of the contract, What happened.
Having played 25 games for the Cavaliers so far this season, Drummond is averaging 17.5 points and 13.5 rebounds.
After the Cavaliers traded for a younger center, Jarrett Allen, who came from the Brooklyn Nets with the transfer of guard James Harden to the Rockets, Drummond’s role was reduced and the terms agreed by both parties that he would leave the roster. active until his situation was defined outside the team.
Drummond spent eight seasons with the Detroit Pistons and was selected twice to the All-Star Game, before a 2020 trade to the Cavaliers.
While another veteran center, LaMarcus Aldridge, a seven-time All-Star, who has followed the same process as Drummond, but with the San Antonio Spur, agreed to sign with the Brooklyn Nets for the remainder of the season.
Aldridge, 35, has agreed to terminate his contract with the Spurs and joins a talent-laden Nets roster in their quest for the franchise’s first NBA championship.
The Miami Heat had been a strong contender for Aldridge, but he decided to accept the Nets’ offer of one of the two remaining spots on the franchise list on Saturday, according to various league sources.
Aldridge joins fellow All-Star power forward Blake Griffin, who left the Pistons and decided to sign for the Brooklyn team, where the “Big 3” already are, formed by forward Kevin Durant, point guard Kyrie Irving and Harden. .
Aldridge, 35, is expected to play most of his minutes at the center position, where he will again partner with fellow All-Star DeAndre Jordan, the sixth Nets player who has been selected to the All-Star Game. .
Precisely, the arrival of Aldridge could affect Jordan’s playing time. Second-year power forward Nic Claxton has also been impressive on the front row recently.
Aldridge hasn’t played a game since March 1, ironically against the Nets. Nine days later, the Spurs and Aldridge agreed that they would separate until a trade or purchase could end their six years with San Antonio.
The new Nets player is averaging 19.4 points and 8.3 rebounds in his 15 NBA seasons, including nine years with the Portland Trail Blazers.
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