1. Andre Drummond
Andre Drummond signed with the Los Angeles Lakers for two main reasons after being bought out by the Cleveland Cavaliers. The obvious reason is that the Lakers are title contenders and he gets the chance to compete and win his first-ever championship.
The other reason, which is more compelling for Drummond’s career, is that the Lakers offered him a chance to actually play a significant role. Drummond is playing for a championship but he is also playing for his next contract.
The Los Angeles Lakers had such a big need at the center position that is was a match made in heaven. Drummond fixes the team’s needs, especially once they get LeBron and AD back, and Drummond gets a chance to get a payday after this season.
That payday probably won’t be from the Lakers. There are cheaper options that the Lakers could sign in the upcoming offseason to provide a similar output to Drummond. However, if he plays well, especially in the NBA Playoffs, then he will get a good offer from elsewhere.
The better he plays, the more money he is going to get in the offseason. It is a rather simple correlation that is important to Drummond moving forward.