KEY POINTS

  • The Los Angeles Lakers finally sign Andre Drummond to boost their NBA playoff bid
  • Drummond may pursue higher pay in the offseason
  • Drummond gives Lakers help with LeBron James and Anthony Davis still sidelined

Andre Drummond will be joining the Los Angeles Lakers although this development hardly comes as a surprise.

The name of the All-Star center has been linked to the Lakers even prior to the NBA Trade Deadline, and now Drummond will have the chance to return to active duty since being frozen by the Cleveland Cavaliers back in February.

The Lakers announced the official signing of Andre Drummond via their official Twitter account. It was only a matter of time before a team picked up the 6-foot-10 cager who has not played a single minute since Feb. 12.

The Cavs hoped to get a trade partner for Drummond, but most were wary of his hefty $28.7 million expiring contract.

"Andre Drummond gives us powerful, anchor-point skills on both ends of the court," Lakers vice-president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka stated. "We feel extremely fortunate to add a player of his caliber and magnitude to our core group at this stage of our journey to defend the NBA title."

Drummond also posted on Instagram a photo of himself in a Lakers uniform.

The signing of Drummond should relieve Lakers fans of some worries with Anthony Davis and LeBron James sidelined due to injuries.

As mentioned in a previous post, Davis has been cleared for some on-court basketball activities which hint at seeing the 27-year-old returning soon.

Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of James who is listed as out indefinitely due to a high ankle sprain. However, pundits believe that the four-time NBA champion should be good to go once the playoffs come around.

Andre Drummond Lakers Cavaliers
Andre Drummond #3 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots over LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the first quarter at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on January 25, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. Jason Miller/Getty Images

Drummond should give head coach Frank Vogel a pinch in the arm as the Lakers continue to struggle with injuries to its top stars.

Through Drummond, Los Angeles gets someone who can deliver a double-double almost every night. Before he was placed on the freezer, he was averaging 17.5 points, 13.5 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 28.9 minutes spanning 25 games.

Those numbers will come in handy as the Lakers try to buy James and Davis time.

Looking beyond this season, seeing Drummond in Purple and Gold is uncertain. He will likely negotiate for a more lucrative contract, regardless of what the Lakers' campaign in the postseason turns out.

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