As the trade deadline approaches, subsequently opening the buyout market, the possibility of the Cleveland Cavaliers star big man Andre Drummond joining the NBA title-defending Los Angeles Lakers seems to be heating up. According to Marc Stein of The New York Times:
“There is a growing belief around the league that the Los Angeles Lakers have an edge over the Nets to sign Drummond if he makes it to free agency, and the Heat are widely regarded as the leaders to sign Aldridge.
“The Lakers can only afford to offer Drummond a minimum deal, but they have a bigger role to offer him than the Nets. After he and the Cavaliers mutually agreed a month ago that he would not play while the team sought deals, Drummond needs playing time to enhance his marketability entering free agency. That has given the Lakers confidence they can trump the offers of the Nets, who can use a $5.7 million disabled player exception from Spencer Dinwiddie’s season-ending knee injury or a $5.6 million midlevel exception left over from last off-season.“
The 27-year-old is averaging 17.5 points, 13.5 rebounds, 1.2 blocks and 1.6 steals while shooting 47.4% from the floor through 25 games for Cleveland this season.
