The Los Angeles Lakers are officially adding some frontcourt depth and an above-the-rim threat to their roster. Andre Drummond’s agent, Jeff Schwartz, told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski that his client intends to sign with the Lakers after officially clearing waivers on Sunday afternoon.
Drummond played in only 25 games for the Cavaliers but averaged over 17 points and 13 rebounds, though his field goal percentage of 47.4% with Cleveland was the lowest of his career. In the immediate future, Drummond will likely be asked to do a lot for the Lakers on the offensive end. He is a better ballhandler than most people his size and he can also pass the ball well, but he’s really here for what he can do with LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
While Montrezl Harrell is a prolific dunker, he gets to the rim by his expert use of angles and his quick jumping ability. Drummond gets to the rim in a truly vertical way, something that only Anthony Davis brings on the current Lakers roster. Last year, they had JaVale McGee and Dwight Howard supplying a massive share of easy dunks. While the injuries to Davis and James have to be factored in, the Lakers have fallen from 11th in offensive rating last season to 18th in 20-21.
Drummond does add rim protection to the Lakers, but his usefulness to the Lakers might be even more important on the offensive end than on the defensive end. Drummond had 38 dunks in his 25 games with the Cavs, but he’s finished with over 100 dunks in six of his eight seasons. Harrell currently leads the Lakers with 90 dunks this season, but the next closest player, other than LeBron James (46) and Anthony Davis (37), is Kyle Kuzma with 19 dunks on the season. Even before James returns to feed him lobs, Drummond should bring some extra pressure at the rim for a Lakers team lacking it.
