2. The alternative for Andre Drummond is likely the Brooklyn Nets
The Brooklyn Nets have the only true big three in the NBA with Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden. Despite that, Brooklyn still does not feel like a massive threat to the Los Angeles Lakers in a playoff series.
There is a good chance that Brooklyn makes it to the NBA Finals but the Lakers are still the title favorites and rightfully so. Kyrie Irving and James Harden very well could implode in the playoffs and the Nets matchup terribly against the Lakers.
The Lakers have way more depth and the Nets are terrible defensively. Anthony Davis can guard Kevin Durant, playoff defender LeBron can defend Harden and the team can throw a mix of their defensive guards at Kyrie Irving.
Meanwhile, the Nets have no real answer. Durant is going to have to guard one of AD or LeBron, completely opening the door for the other to go off. Then there is DeAndre Jordan, who is someone the Lakers could pick on at the basket.
That changes with Andre Drummond. Drummond would give Brooklyn that second big that they need and having his rim-protecting presence to slow down LeBron and AD at the rim is massive. This is how he could be the difference between a title and no title.
Drummond very well could be the last defensive puzzle piece for the Nets and they will be pushing hard for the two-time all-star if he is bought out.
So not only does signing Drummond make the Los Angeles Lakers deeper, but it keeps the Nets (and other teams that may need another five, like the Los Angeles Clippers) from getting someone who takes away the Lakers’ size advantage.
That is why it would be imperative that the team signs him if he is bought out.