Lakers sign Andrew Bogut to one-year minimum deal

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The Los Angeles Lakers have agreed to a one-year deal with center Andrew Bynum according to the Vertical’s Shams Charania.

Bogut was previously on the Cleveland Cavaliers but suffered a season-ending injury in his first game for the Eastern Conference champions.

The Australian center has a relationship with Lakers’ head coach Luke Walton who was an assistant with the Warriors when Bogut anchored their top-level defenses.

Bogut is mostly known for his defensive chops as a rim protector despite his slow movement and agility. However, he does provide some offensive value especially as a passer in creating offense from the center spot.

The Lakers will start Brook Lopez at the center position. Previously, Ivica Zubac was billed as the backup for the new acquisition. But a poor showing at Summer League as well as general questions about his limitations made the need for a backup center more presentable.

Bogut is the fifteenth guaranteed contract on the Lakers, meaning that training camp invites such as Vander Blue and Briante Weber will likely not make the parent roster. However, the team still has one two-way contract to give out to a player who will split time between the Lakers and the South Bay Lakers, the team’s G-League affiliate.

Last season, Bogut averaged 2.9 points and 8.1 rebounds per game in only 27 appearances.

According to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, the deal is a partially-guaranteed minimum contract. However, the Lakers are reportedly planning for Bogut to spend the entire year in LA.

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