The Los Angeles Lakers entered this season as perhaps the most overpowered team in the NBA. They were coming off an epic run in the bubble in Orlando and had only gotten better with the additions they made in the offseason.
Now, however, the Brooklyn Nets figure to be the most stacked team in the league, while the Utah Jazz are having a historical season. That, plus Anthony Davis‘ injury, has made the Lakers wonder whether they could get even better.
That’s why, according to Sam Amico of The Athletic, they’ve set their sight in Cleveland Cavaliers big man Andre Drummond, who’s expected to be either traded or bought out at some point in the season.
The Lakers Will Only Pursue Andre Drummond If He Gets Bought Out
Then again, the purple and gold won’t have it easy to land the former Detroit Pistons star, as they’ll have to compete with the Brooklyn Nets, Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Clippers, New York Knicks, and Dallas Mavericks. Also, they can only sign him after a buyout:
“Along with the Knicks, Drummond continues to be linked to the Brooklyn Nets, Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Clippers. The Lakers and Dallas Mavericks are said to only be interested in the event Drummond hits the buyout market,” Amico said.
The Lakers don’t have enough trade assets right now to pull the trigger on Drummond, nor they’ll want to part ways with some players or picks for a half-a-season rental and his high salary.
But, in the case Drummond goes unclaimed by another team in the trade market, he might as well be the perfect replacement they need while Anthony Davis cancome back to full strength. Obviously, the fit next to him would be a bit of a concern, as well as his role in the team’s future, but adding him now would pretty much guarantee another shot at the NBA Finals.
