Free agent center Andre Drummond has agreed to a one-year contract with the 76ers, per Adrian Wojarowski of ESPN.
Drummond, 27, finished last season with the Lakers after a year-and-half with the Cavaliers. He will now serve as a backup and fill-in for All-Star Joel Embiid.
Drummond’s time with the Lakers was short-lived after the team reached a deal with Dwight Howard. Coincidentally, Howard spent last season in Philadelphia — making the signings seem more like a trade of Drummond for Howard than a pair of free agent pickups.
Drummond, 27, is 6-foot-10 and appeared in 21 games with the Lakers, but clearly never really proved to be a fit — or at least not as much as the Lakers hoped when they signed him in March.
He averaged 11.9 points and 10.2 rebounds in 21 games with LA last season. Before that, he appeared in 25 games with the Cavs, compiling averages of 17.5 points and 13.5 boards. Cleveland eventually benched him and bought out his contract, a result of the team’s trade for fellow center Jarrett Allen.
Drummond should be a big addition for the 76ers in more than just size. He’s an improvement over Howard, giving coach Doc Rivers the ability to utlize an old-school Twin Towers lineup of two of the league’s best rim protectors and rebounders.
Looking for the latest NBA Insider News & Rumors?
Be sure to follow Hoops Wire on TWITTER and FACEBOOK for breaking NBA News and Rumors for all 30 teams!