What Andre Drummond signing with Knicks means for Lakers
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The New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers both had the same need at 6 p.m. ET on Friday.
By 6:30, the Knicks had solved it, and the Lakers had one less option.
The Knicks signed Andre Drummond to a free agent contract, and it fills the backup center spot.
They let Mitchell Robinson leave, because they couldn't pay him enough -- and Drummond comes for much cheaper to play behind Karl-Anthony Towns.
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ESPN's Shams Charania had the news in his breaking post on X, including the $3.9 million salary:
Free agent center Andre Drummond has agreed to a one-year, $3.9 million to sign with the New York Knicks, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/VybK9XswUY
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 3, 2026
"Drummond fills a vital center need for the Knicks after the departure of Mitchell Robinson," Charania wrote in a follow-up post. "The Mount Vernon, New York native had interest from multiple other teams, including the Lakers, but made a decision Friday."
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What's next for the Lakers?
Charania had reported earlier Friday that the Lakers had three backup centers in their sights, including Drummond.
That's down to two.
The others on that list were Jonas Valanciunas and Kevon Looney, who both remain free agents.
Drummond was certainly the most exciting of the trio, and now the Lakers might have to settle.
L.A. released Deandre Ayton on Friday because they couldn't afford to keep him after trading for Walker Kessler and giving him a big contract.
Now, the Knicks beat the Lakers to Drummond, and that could prove costly in Los Angeles.