As expected, center Andre Drummond has agreed to a contract buyout with the Cleveland Cavaliers and will now enter free agency.
Drummond must wait to clear waivers, a process that takes 48 hours, before signing with a new team.
As relayed by Yahoo Sports, he will consider the Los Angeles Lakers, LA Clippers, Boston Celtics, Charlotte Hornets and New York Knicks. After failing to work out in Cleveland, Drummond will immediately become the most-prized player on the buyout market.
While the Lakers are believed to be the favorites to sign Drummond once he clears waivers, others are also in play.
“He can go to the West with the Lakers, who he has been linked to for a while, and help them shore up that spot,” Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports said on TNT. “He has options.”
All five of the teams mentioned by Haynes were listed among the potential Drummond suitors ahead of the deadline. The Knicks were even considering a trade, presumably realizing that would be the only way to guarantee landing Drummond.
Now, they will have some competition.
As FortyEightMinutes relayed earlier this month, the Lakers are confident they can convince Drummond to join LeBron James, Anthony Davis and the rest of the defending champions for the veteran’s minimum salary. Opposing executives also seem to think the Lakers have the inside track.
Drummond, 27, is 6-foot-10 and lead the NBA in rebounding last season in a combined 57 games with the Cavs and Detroit Pistons. He is averaging 17.5 points and 13.5 rebounds in 25 appearances this season.
But he hasn’t played since Feb. 12, as the Cavs opted to bench him while seeking a resolution.
He is expected to make a decision on his next destination by early next week.
