Andre Drummond will make his debut with the Los Angeles Lakers as a starting center. The 27-year-old was able to stay in good shape during the two-month period when he had to sit out games for the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Lakers head coach Frank Vogel picked him to start the game against the Milwaukee Bucks.
“He’s going to start tomorrow night,” Vogel said after Drummond’s first practice as a Laker. “We’ll keep an eye on his minutes. I don’t know exactly what that’s going to look like. He does appear to be in very good shape It’s clear that he’s worked really hard during this time that he’s been off.
“But there’s no true simulation like playing in a game. So we will recognize that it’s been a while since he’s been in an NBA game and be sure not to overdo it and take a long-term approach with it. But he seems to be in very good shape.”
According to one report, Drummond is expected to replace Marc Gasol as a starting center for the Lakers and to average 30+ minutes per game.
There are rumors that this could lead to the reigning NBA champions buying out Gasol’s contract, although Vogel said he needs all three of his centers.
