LaMarcus Aldridge did not live up to expectations and chose to sign with Brooklyn Nets as a free agent.
Andre Drummond seems to be going where it was rumored to land, with LeBron James in Los Angeles. Sources told NBC Sports that the Lakers appeared to be in the driver’s seat on Friday, and tonight ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski said the Lakers are “strong leaders” to sign Drummond.
Lakers stars and the front office have been recruiting a lot of Drummond, selling him the opportunity to join the defending champion’s starting team, the sources said. The Lakers had an inconsistent central game with Marc Gasol and Montrezl Harrell this season, and Drummond’s ability to protect the paint and the rebound would allow him to have a significant impact.
The Lakers can only offer Drummond the minimum prorate for the veteran, but for him it’s not about money – he can either chase a ring or increase his stock of free agent, showing what he can do in a role for a rival team.
Drummond, who agreed to a purchase with the Cavaliers, averaged 17.5 points and 13.5 rebounds per game this season, is an elite rebound and a solid rim protector – all that the Lakers would welcome. Drummond doesn’t fit on all teams – his old school game that doesn’t give space on the floor and he likes the later touches and some isolation moves he requires – and there are legitimate concerns about his pick-and-roll defense. That said, if he plays well for the Lakers, he’ll see better offers in the off-season.
With the Lakers, he would be an upgrade for the rest of the season and could help with specific postseason clashes. However, the deeper the Lakers go into the playoffs, the more Anthony Davis will play as a center, which remains the Lakers’ best line-up.