Mired in a nine-game losing streak, the Los Angeles Lakers have decided to shake things up by releasing veteran center Andrew Bogut. Yahoo! Sports' Shams Charania first reported the news on Jan. 6.
Sources: The Los Angeles Lakers are releasing center Andrew Bogut. With Lakers at 11-27, this allows sides to part ways and Bogut to pivot toward signing with a playoff team.
Charania later elaborated that Bogut will look to join a playoff contender with the Lakers sitting at 11-27 and last in the Western Conference.
Bogut appeared in just 24 games for L.A., averaging 1.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 0.5 blocks in nine minutes per game, so it's not as if he's been a key cog in the rotation. Releasing Bogut will free up a little more opportunity in the frontcourt for freshman sensation Kyle Kuzma, as well as prospects Thomas Bryant and Ivica Zubac, neither of whom has seen much action for the team. It could also open up time for Julius Randle, who has been the subject of frequent trade rumors in his fourth year with the franchise.
In the short run, it’ll be interesting to see who gets the nine mins a game Bogut averaged when he played.
Thomas Bryant? Ivica Zubac? More run for Julius Randle?
Keep in mind that Bogut hasn’t played a lot lately, including DNP-CDs last two games.
Bogut was the starting center on the 2015 Golden State Warriors who won the NBA championship, but his career has been bumpy since the team traded him to the Dallas Mavericks so they could sign Kevin Durant. The Mavs traded him to the Philadelphia 76ers after 26 games. After being bought out by Philly, he signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers, but fractured his tibia less than a minute into his debut with the team.
The bruising 33-year-old big man has been renowned for his rim protection and deft passing, but injuries have dogged him for much of his 13 seasons in the league. Still, speculation has already started about where the former No. 1 overall pick and noted right wing conspiracy theorist will next take his talents.
Andrew Bogut Come To Charlotte ! @andrewbogut
I’m in no way saying Andrew Bogut fixes things but for 10 minutes a game you could certainly do worse. It’s moot anyway because Boston and San Antonio make more sense
Just to get ahead of this: No, you should not expect the #Celtics to sign Andrew Bogut.
While he looks for a new team, expect Bogut to keep up his conservative, trolling Twitter presence.
Here's an Andrew Bogut gem that's still up. Would look for more myself but I'm blocked. pic.twitter.com/Oz1JirN9Bi
