Andre Drummond Signs With Lakers After Buyout

The Lakers are adding a key piece on the buyout market as they seek a second straight championship this summer.

Former Cavaliers center Andre Drummond is has cleared waivers and signed with the Lakers, the team announced Sunday evening. The deal was reported earlier by ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

OFFICIAL: We got Dre. Welcome to the Lakers Family, @AndreDrummond! pic.twitter.com/AGtLwOq38h

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) March 29, 2021

Drummond agreed to a buyout with the Cavaliers on Friday, making him a free agent. The four-time rebounding champion is expected to join the Lakers starting lineup upon arriving in Los Angeles. 

The Lakers have scuffled of late amid a pair of key injuries. Forward LeBron James is expected to miss several more weeks with a high ankle sprain, while Anthony Davis is still nursing his achilles tendinosis along with a calf strain. No date has been set for Davis's return

Drummond, 27,  is averaging 17.5 points and 13.5 rebounds per game this season. The two-time All-Star has led the league in rebounding in four of the last five years.

The Lakers enter Sunday night sitting No. 4 in the Western Conference at 29–17. They lost four straight before Friday's win over the Cavaliers.