Outside of his rebounding totals (11.0 per game), Andre Drummond wasn’t much of a factor in the Lakers' first-round series against the Suns. He was even taken out of the lineup for Game, 6 but Lakers coach Frank Vogel is hopeful the unrestricted free agent will re-sign with the team, per Michael Scotto of Hoops Hype.
“Dre was great for us,” he said. “We’re hopeful that he’s a Laker for a long time. He really played well for us and was a good culture fit.”
GM Rob Pelinka, Drummond’s one-time agent, said that signing Drummond after he cleared waivers was something he’d “do again and again,” Kyle Goon of the Orange County Register. Pelinka added, “We’re proud of some of the big games and big moments he had,” but didn’t make any pledges about trying to bring him back.
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- Vogel didn’t want to comment about the possibility of getting a contract extension, but he confirmed he’s entering the last year of his deal, Goon adds. Vogel was hired on a three-year deal in 2019. “Obviously I love it here,” he said. “I love this organization, and I hope to be a Laker for life.”
- Some of Anthony Davis‘ teammates tried to talk him out of playing in Game 6, but AD ultimately decided to give it a try, Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports reports. AD lasted a little more than five minutes before being sidelined by a groin injury. “I knew the only way I was going to be healthy enough to play was to get some rest, but time wasn’t on my side,” he said. “So, I tried to give it a go. I don’t regret anything.” A lingering high-ankle sprain prevented LeBron James from routinely attacking the paint, Haynes added, with estimations that James was about 85% health-wise for the series.
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Marc Gasol knew his role would be diminished after Drummond was signed but family reasons helped convince him to remain on the roster, rather than pursuing a buyout, per Goon. His family had settled into the Los Angeles area, and he didn’t want to uproot them.
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