The free agent center Andre Drummond agreed to a one-year deal with the Philadelphia 76ers, a source told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Drummond averaged 14.9 points and 12.0 rebounds per game in a split season between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Los Angeles Lakers.
When the Lakers acquired Drummond after he approved waivers once he parted ways with the Cavaliers, the center was supposedly the jewel of the buyout market.
But his season ended without playing in Los Angeles’ elimination loss to the Phoenix Suns in the first round of the playoffs, culminating a short but difficult 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 he saw Drummond as part of Los Angeles’ long-term future alongside Anthony Davis, the team seemed to work better with Marc Gasol in the middle.
There was also a plug in position, with Montrezl harrell, who was traded to the Washington Wizards in the deal for Russell westbrook, also playing in position 5.
Lakers vice president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka, who represented Drummond as an agent, had no regrets signing the big man after the season ended.
“His ability to rebound and protect the rim and give us athleticism and size in the paint was an essential ingredient to add to the team and something we would do over and over again,” said Pelinka.
Jazz agrees to 2-year contract with Gay
On the other hand, free agent forward Rudy Gay agreed to a 2-year contract with the Utah Jazz, his agent, Raymond Brothers of Roc Nation Sports, told Wojnarowski.
The two-year contract includes a player option and reunites Gay with point guard Mike Conley Jr. The two played together for the Memphis Grizzlies for more than five seasons.
Gay spent the past four years with the San Antonio Spurs and averaged 11.4 points and shot 38.1% on 3s in a backup role last season.
ESPN’s Dave McMenamin contributed to this report.