Andrew Bogut won’t become a member of Boston Celtics as many believed. Instead, there are reports that he has agreed to a 1 year, $2.3 million veteran-minimum deal with the LA Lakers. This has been revealed to Shams Charania of The Vertical by Bogut’s agent David Bauman.
Free agent center Andrew Bogut has agreed to a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, agent David Bauman of ISE tells The Vertical.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 19, 2017
Charania discusses that there are several reasons why Bogut choose the Lakers instead some other teams. He will reunite with coach Luke Walton who previously served as an assistant with the Golden State Warriors during Bogut’s time there, while also becoming a part of a team with a talented young roster that includes Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram. Of course, there is also an honor that comes with wearing a Lakers’ jersey. Still, Bogut’s decision is an interesting one, since reportedly some better-positioned teams expressed interest in his services including San Antonio Spurs and the Boston Celtics. While he wouldn’t be a starter with these teams, he shouldn’t expect some more prominent role with the Lakers as well, especially since they already have Brook Lopez as their primary big man. Lakers certainly got a good addition with Bogut, who brings a championship experience and needed guidance to this young team. This is of course if Bogut manages to stay healthy.
A few days ago, Bogut’s agent went public saying that his client is healthy and ready to begin playing basketball. Bauman told to TNT’s David Aldridge that “CT on Bogut’s tibia shows complete healing“, and that “radiology report shows leg is solidly united“.
After Warriors lost the 2016 NBA Finals to Cleveland Cavaliers, Bogut was traded to the Dallas Mavericks so the team would free up the cap space required to sign Kevin Durant. Bogut only played 26 games with the Mavericks and was traded to Philadelphia 76ers. After the 76ers waived Bogut, he joined the Cleveland Cavaliers as a man who could put them over the Durant fronted Warriors. Spell with the Cavs turned to be a short one since Bogut suffered a fractured tibia in his debut for the Cavaliers.
