Free-agent center Andre Drummond has agreed to a one-year deal with the Philadelphia 76ers, a source tells ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski
Drummond averaged 14.9 points and 12.0 rebounds per game in a season split between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Lakers.
When the Lakers acquired Drummond after he cleared waivers once parting ways with the Cav, the center was supposedly the crown jewel of the buyout market.
But his season ended with a DNP-CD in L.A.’s elimination loss to the Phoenix Suns in the first round of the playoffs, capping off a short but rocky first foray with the 2019-2020 champions.
Drummond averaged 11.9 points and 10.2 rebounds in 21 regular season games with the Lakers and while coach Frank Vogel repeatedly said that he envisioned Drummond as part of L.A.’s future long term next to Anthony Davis, the team seemed to run smoother with Marc Gasol at center.
There was also a logjam at the position, with Montrezl Harrell — who was traded to the Washington Wizards in a deal for Russell Westbrook — also playing the 5.
Lakers vice president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka, who represented Drummond back when he was an agent, expressed no regret in signing the big man after the season ended.
“His ability to rebound the ball and protect the rim and give us athleticism and size in the paint was an essential ingredient to add to the team and something that we would do again and again,” Pelinka said.
ESPN’s Dave McMenamin contributed to this report.