One year, $3.9 million! Drummond agrees to join the Knicks, Lakers' desired big man target snatched away

On July 4, per Shams' report, free-agent big man Andre Drummond has inked a deal to join the New York Knicks on a one-year, $3.9 million contract. Despite offers from several squads, including the Lakers, he opted for the Knicks as a replacement for Mitchell Robinson.

After the Lakers previously traded away Deandre Ayton, they had listed Drummond as a primary target to bolster their backup center position. However, the Knicks swooped in and secured this experienced, gritty big man, leaving the Lakers' interior reinforcement plans in disarray.

Drummond, nicknamed "Drum," stands 2.11 meters tall and weighs 127 kilograms. A traditional, heavy center, he was selected by the Detroit Pistons with the 9th overall pick in the 2012 draft, bringing 14 years of NBA experience.

His prime years came with the Pistons, where he won four rebounding titles, earned two All-Star selections, and made one All-NBA Third Team. In his peak season, he averaged 17.8 points and 15.8 rebounds, showcasing historic rebounding instincts. With over 10,000 career rebounds, he leads active players in average boards per game. His strength lies in offensive rebounding and second-chance scoring, frequently posting double-doubles with 20-plus points and rebounds.

In the small-ball era, Drummond's weaknesses became apparent: slow lateral movement, vulnerability in pick-and-roll defense, and career free-throw shooting below 60%, making him ill-suited for five-out spacing lineups. This triggered a journeyman phase, with stints in Cleveland, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Brooklyn, and Chicago. During the 2020-21 season, he briefly played for the Lakers and made a playoff run, familiar with the Los Angeles system. This offseason, the Lakers planned to sign him on a minimum deal to fill their backup center role.

Last season with the Sixers, Drummond appeared in 72 games, averaging 6.4 points and 8.4 rebounds while shooting 47.2% from the field. He also developed a reliable three-point shot, hitting 35.6% on 90 attempts, showing significant improvement in floor spacing compared to earlier years. Defensively, his positioning is solid, and he provides adequate rim protection, delivering intense inside battles and rebounding. As a backup center, he offers excellent value.