FILE – 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/AFP (Photo by Jason Miller / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
Free agent center Andre Drummond has signed with the NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers, the team announced Monday (Manila time).
According to ESPN, the Lakers have worked hard to lure Drummond with star big man Anthony Davis still recovering from an Achilles tendon injury and superstar LeBron James out indefinitely with a high right ankle sprain.
Drummond should also mesh well with the Lakers’ top duo when they return, providing protection at the rim as well as an explosive offensive presence that has seen him finish with more than 100 dunks in six of his eight NBA seasons.
Drummond, 27, averaged 17.5 points and 13.5 rebounds in 25 starts this season with Cleveland but hasn’t played a game since February 12 as the Cavs promoted Jarrett Allen.
He agreed to a buyout after the Cavaliers failed to trade him before last Thursday’s deadline.