If Andre Drummond makes his Los Angeles Lakers debut sometime this week, LeBron James (sprained ankle) and Anthony Davis (calf strain and right leg tendon) will still be in street clothes.
However, once the Los Angeles co-captains can get back on the field alongside the team’s recent takeover, which was signed as a free agent for the remainder of the season following a buyout agreement with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Drummond sees defensive dominance as a trio.
“I think our defenses will go really insane when these guys come back,” Drummond said Monday during his introductory videoconference. “And I look forward.”
He has been looking forward to finding his new team since mid-February when Cleveland pulled him out of rotation while looking for a trading partner for the nine-year veteran with career averages of 14.6 points, 13.8 rebounds and 1.5 Looking for blocks per game.
Cleveland has not been able to work out a deal with Drummond’s $ 29.5 million salary for that season. He bought out Drummond and allowed the 27-year-old center to become a free agent once he approved the exemptions on Sunday. According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, LA Drummond was able to sign on one of its open roster seats for $ 794,536 – the same amount he returned to Cleveland on the buyout.
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Although Drummond has not been in a game since February 12, he said he remained prepared for his next opportunity.
“It’s been almost a month [and] Over 10 days since I last played. You can imagine the hunger and excitement that I have to play and step onto the court, “said Drummond.” I had an amazing month of work that I’m ready to play today. “
Los Angeles has scheduled a training session on Tuesday and is hosting the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday. Drummond said he still had to speak to the Lakers brass players about whether he would play the money or wait until he donned his # 2 Lakers uniform for the first time.
While still number 1 on the defensive this season despite Davis and James injuries, the Lakers have missed the lacquer presence of JaVale McGee and Dwight Howard – the central rotation on last year’s championship team. This season’s Lakers team has selected Marc Gasol as their primary starting center, with Montrezl Harrell coming off the bench.
“I’m not here to steal the shine,” said Drummond when asked if he would start. “I’m here to help this team win as many games as possible.”
Drummond said he hopes to “wreak havoc in the paint” with his 6-10, 279-pound frame and has already spoken to the Lakers’ defensive-minded coach Frank Vogel about the areas he is the team at The end could be useful.
“My defensive game will help this team a lot with my quick feet and quick hands,” he said. “I will recover and be able to play 1 through 5.”
Drummond had other options – the New York Knicks and Boston Celtics were among the teams reportedly interested – but called the Lakers “simply the best fit.” When asked about the Knicks, Drummond replied, “All I know is that I’m here in LA now. I’m only here to win as many games as possible. I don’t really argue this.”
He joins a Lakers team with two former Detroit Pistons teammates in Markieff Morris and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Davis who finished 1st in the 2012 NBA draft while Drummond was voted 5th by UConn.
“I think if I get here AD could slide to the 4 and play his true position and be very good at it without all the bumps and bruises I get on the 5,” assured Drummond.
Drummond’s decision may have been predetermined. Almost 10 years ago, he tweeted his goal of teaming up with James.
One of my goals in life is to play a game with or against @KingJames
– Andre Drummond (@AndreDrummond) August 11, 2011
When his old tweet recently went viral, Drummond said his best friend reminded him they were together when he sent it the day before he signed up with UConn for the first day of his first season.
“For the loop to come full circle,” said Drummond, “it’s just crazy the way time works.”
