Though the trade deadline came and went without the Cavaliers negotiating a trade involving Andre Drummond, it still signaled the end of the big man's run in Cleveland. After Koby Altman was unable to find a trade partner that would willingly take on Drummond's massive contract, the two sides agreed to a buyout.
Related
It didn't take long for Drummond to find a suitor once the buyout came to fruition, however. Though he doesn't clear waivers until 5:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, he reportedly intends to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers when the time comes.
Drummond confirmed the news with an Instagram post.
The 6-foot-10 center hasn't played in over a month, last stepping foot on the floor on February 12 before he sat and awaited either a trade or a buyout. In 25 games this year, Drummond has put up 17.5 points and 13.5 rebounds per game, though he may not be able to produce such lofty counting stats in a lesser role with the Lakers.
That's not to say the Lakers won't use him, though. With Anthony Davis sidelined indefinitely — head coach Frank Vogel said on Thursday that he's "still a ways away" from coming back — and LeBron James reportedly set to miss four to six weeks while nursing an ankle sprain, the Lakers are a depleted squad right now.
Current Lakers center Marc Gasol has also been on a minutes restriction in recent games, playing 15 minutes in each, while the undersized Montrezl Harrell has assumed the bulk of the big man duties. Drummond should be able to plug in right away and contribute down low for Los Angeles, whose 29-17 record is fourth in the West but is in danger of dropping if losing LeBron and AD proves too costly.
Drummond is just 27 years old and is a two-time All-Star, four-time rebounding champion and nightly double-double threat when given a full workload.
LISTEN NOW on the RADIO.COM App
Follow RADIO.COM Sports
Twitter | Facebook I Instagram