Andrew Bogut chose to join the Warriors as a free agent last month, bypassing a number of teams interested in adding a veteran center — including the Lakers. Bogut, who played 24 games for Los Angeles last season, is still hurt by the team’s sudden decision to waive him shortly into the 2017/18 campaign.
“The Lakers told me I’d be there the whole year,” Bogut told Mark Medina of the Bay Area News Group. “They went against their word and waived me at the (salary guarantee) deadline. Whatever. That was their decision.”
Bogut decided to re-join the team he won a championship with in 2015, playing a new backup center role behind DeMarcus Cousins and adding veteran experience to Golden State’s locker room. Upon his surprising release from Los Angeles, Bogut spent time playing in Australia and briefly exited the NBA.
“I took their word for that stupidly,” Bogut said. “It’s part of the business. But it’s disappointing because I have two young kids and all that. I was stupid enough to take their word on something I shouldn’t have.”
The Warriors are gearing up for another deep postseason run and added Bogut for frontcourt insurance, sporting one of the most talented rosters in league history.
There’s more out of the Pacific Division tonight:
- The Kings recently worked out Antonius Cleveland and Kendrick Nunn, according to Keith Smith of Yahoo Sports (Twitter link). Sacramento had an open roster spot to work with after Cody Demps‘ 10-day contract expired, but opted to sign B.J. Johnson to fill that opening.
- Despite trading their top player in Chris Paul two years ago, the Clippers are set up well for the future and the present day, Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times writes. “He was important to our team,” Clippers coach Doc Rivers said of Paul. “He was important to the whole franchise. So you lose a player like that, you have to evaluate who you are, where you want to go, what you want to be.” The Clippers have major cap flexibility for star free agents this summer, sporting a unique mix of hardworking players under a veteran head coach. The team surprised many fans by easily clinching a playoff berth this season, holding a 47-32 record with three games left in the campaign.
- The Heat Index examines which players could be free-agent targets for the Suns in free agency, focusing on Charlotte’s Kemba Walker, Boston’s Terry Rozier and other talents who are set to hit the open market on July 1. Phoenix could pursue a free-agent point guard to pair alongside Devin Booker, Deandre Ayton and their draft pick this June, or potentially work to secure a meeting with a scoring forward such as Tobias Harris.
Bogut’s story will not help the Lakers recruit free agents this summer.
Not that they’ve had much success doing that anyway
Yup. Corey Brewer had a story to tell PG13 that kept him from sitting down with the Lakers.
But I’m *sure* they’ll have no trouble signing big names this summer…
jordan > kobe > durant
Bogut was really stupid to believe anything a franchise told him, no sympathy for him, that was not very clever for a vet. Hopefully he has learnt his lesson & he will do better next time without bad mouthing his bosses.
Dislike
He already did better. He is about to get a ring for playing like 10 games plus a playoff run for a team he like and respects and who respects him back. Lakers are trash and shall remain that way until they get a competent front office.
lakers will not get a top free agent this summer. They will end up signing Butler when other teams pass on him for his attitude. Of course LeBron will claim its the best signing ever. Lakers have assets to trade but most GMs do not like their GM.
The 47-32 WC Clips start SGA, Shamet & Zubac– 20, 21, & 21 yo. Harell 25.
They can sign 1.9 maxes… $60MM room. Leonard wants to go there. Future is bright.
Zubac is a very solid starting center especially when you have Harrell as his backup. One of the dumber moves by Harry and Lloyd (Magic and Pelinka). They needed him if they wanted to make a trade for someone with a hefty contract. He’s going to be an RFA, perfect for sign and trade and he could see 3/$20-30MM. That plus Ingram and Ball is $22-26MM next year which works trade wise with a lot of guys (Davis, Beal). Well Clips have him now and he’ll be their starting Center for the next few years while Bogut and the rest crap on Magic and Pelinka. At least they have the Azazel goat with Luke. Maybe make Pelinka the sacrifice.