Los Angeles Lakers: Why Andre Drummond won’t return after this season

2. There are cheaper center options for the Los Angeles Lakers

Andre Drummond was a great signing for the Los Angeles Lakers, let’s not forget that. However, there is a reason why teams have been bad when he is the best player and why nobody was willing to trade for him and his expiring contract at the deadline.

Drummond is exactly what the Lakers needed, but he is not the only person in the league that offers what the Lakers need. The Lakers are not only capable of finding what they need in another player, but for cheaper as well.

The Lakers need rebounding and rim protection. JaVale McGee and Dwight Howard provided that last season and they did a great job doing so and did so for cheap. If Drummond does not have a market and is a cheap signing then perfect. If not, go sign someone for cheaper to produce at a similar output.

Speaking of McGee, he will be a free agent after this season. Robin Lopez will be a free agent, Hassan Whiteside, Cody Zeller, Nerlens Noel, heck, even Dwight Howard. Some of those guys might get a larger contract close to Drummond, most will get a cheaper one-year deal.

With so many alternatives and other variables in the offseason, re-signing Drummond should be low on the team’s priority list.

So enjoy Andre Drummond now and let’s hope that he can become a key part of an NBA Finals run. It is likely that we won’t see him in the purple and gold after this run.