Veteran free-agent center Andrew Bogut agreed to a one-year $2.3 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. Bogut's agent David Bauman confirmed the deal, although some sources told ESPN that the deal is not guaranteed.
After winning an NBA championship with the Golden State Warriors, Andrew Bogut struggled to stay healthy. Bogut only played a total of 27 games last season in the NBA. Bogut's 2016-2017 NBA season ended after he suffered a knee injury in the first minute of his debut with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Andrew Bogut's 2016-2017 NBA season
Andrew Bogut started his 2016-2017 NBA campaign with the Dallas Mavericks after the Golden State Warriors traded him in exchange for a 2019 second round pick. Bogut only averaged 3.0 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.5 steals and 1.0 blocks per game.
Dallas then traded Bogut to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for forward Nerlens Noel. His contract was then bought out by Philadelphia. Many teams were looking to land Andrew Bogut's services before he chose to play for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Four teams competed for Andrew Bogut during this offseason
According to NBA analyst David Aldridge, the Los Angeles Lakers, the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Boston Celtics, and his former team Cleveland Cavaliers were all looking to sign the seven-foot rim protector.
Both the Celtics and the Cavaliers are proven powerhouses in the Eastern Conference while the Timberwolves and the Lakers are young up-and-coming teams with excellent young cores for the future.
Andrew Bogut with the Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers organization is one of the most decorated NBA organizations. The Lakers have won 16 NBA championships.
The Lakers also produced some of the greatest players the NBA has ever seen including Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Shaquille O’Neal.
Andrew Bogut will be playing under his former assistant coach with the Golden State Warriors and now Lakers head coach Luke Walton. He will be playing a big part in the Lakers' organization as they look to develop their young players further.
Bogut's championship experience and veteran leadership will surely help the organization as they move forward.
The Los Angeles Lakers are expected to make a run for LeBron James, Paul George, Russell Westbrook and other NBA superstars who are expected to become free-agents next summer. Signing some of these players will help the Lakers go back to basketball prominence.
Andrew Bogut will be entering his 12th season in the NBA. He has proven that he can be an essential part of the team if he is put in the right situation. Bogut is a great addition for the Lakers on and off the court because of his grit and experience.
