Andre Drummond, Frank Vogel
Photo: Los Angeles Lakers/Twitter

The Los Angeles Lakers signed Andre Drummond as a free agent in late March. Despite signing him to a contract that expires in summer, it seems that the defending NBA champions view the 27-year-old center as part of the team’s future.

According to Dave McMenamin of ESPN who was a guest on The Lowe Post podcast, “the Lakers’ front office because they have signalled to everyone listening, ‘This isn’t just a half a season buyout market rental. Andre Drummond is part of the future moving forward with this franchise.'”

Drummond averaged 11.9 points 10.2 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 24.8 minutes in 21 regular season games for the Lakers. Over four playoff games thus far he averaged 9.5 points, 10.5 rebounds.