Lakers Rumors: Andrew Bogut To Be Released, Become Free Agent
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Lakers signed Andrew Bogut over the offseason in order to give them a steady veteran on an otherwise young roster, and to provide solid minutes in the frontcourt from a player with experience playing under head coach Luke Walton.

Bogut didn’t play a huge role for the team, averaging just 9.4 minutes per game and averaging 1.4 points and 3.4 rebounds per game, but Walton spoke glowingly of the experience Bogut imparted on the Lakers’ younger players and the lack of mistakes he makes.

He won’t be playing any role for the Lakers moving forward, as the team reportedly will release Bogut so he can be put in position to join a contender, according to Shams Charania of the Vertical:

Bogut had recently mostly fallen out of the Lakers’ rotation, not playing in the team’s last two games after first being supplanted in the starting lineup by Julius Randle. With Brook Lopez’s return from injury crowding the frontcourt even further, the team and Bogut evidently decided it would be mutually beneficial for both sides to part ways.

With Bogut gone, the Lakers’ minutes at center will likely continue to go to Lopez and Randle. The move could also create minutes and opportunities for younger centers, Thomas Bryant and Ivica Zubac, to find a role in the team’s rotation rather than spending so much time in the G League.

You May Also Like

NBA Rumors: Alan Foster ‘Encouraged’ Lonzo Ball To Only Work Out For Lakers Before 2017 Draft

Lonzo Ball’s second season with the Los Angeles Lakers was a rough one. Though he seemed to be showing improvements…

Lakers Rumors: Optimism Christian Wood Will Return Within Two Weeks

Heading into the 2023 offseason, the Los Angeles Lakers targeted reliable centers to back up Anthony Davis…

NBA Free Agency Rumors: Lakers Still Discussing Potential Re-Signing Of Malik Beasley

Ahead of the start of free agency, Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka expressed a desire to keep the team’s core together…

NBA Rumors: Bulls ‘Can’t Wait’ To Part Ways With Tom Thibodeau

The Chicago Bulls were able to strike first against the undermanned Cleveland…