Marc Gasol is wondering about his future with the Lakers now that Andre Drummond has been added on the buyout market, writes Dave McMenamin of ESPN. Drummond was given a starting job right away and Gasol was moved to the bench, which already has reigning Sixth Man of the Year Montrezl Harrell filling the backup center minutes.
“I think there’s an ‘if’ — ‘if’ they need you. And it’s a big ‘if,'” Gasol said. “You’re not Plan A right now. You’re Plan C, D. … You have to accept it because that’s your job. And that’s what you sign up to do. It’s never easy to accept that.”
The situation is resolved temporarily with Drummond sidelined by a torn nail on his right big toe. Gasol returned to the starting lineup and played 28 minutes in Friday’s win over the Kings. After the game, he spoke to reporters for the first time since Drummond was acquired and indicated that he’s not thinking about a buyout.
“Things can change quickly in the NBA, just as they have changed for me,” Gasol said. “But, I’m committed to this team. It’s a hard pill to swallow because I know I’m going to be out of the lineup at some point. It’s never easy on a player. As a basketball player, you want to play. You want to contribute, especially when you made that commitment for that reason. But, we’ll see.”
There’s more Lakers news to pass along:
- Drummond only played 14 minutes in his first game with the Lakers before suffering the injury, but he seemed to be a good fit with his new team, observes Jovan Buha of The Athletic. Coach Frank Vogel was planning to have him play “starter” minutes, even though it was his first game in a month and a half. “I mean, if you saw the first couple minutes of the game that I was out there, just the energy defensively that I brought, and it kind of boosted everybody on both ends of the court,” Drummond said.
- “In the Summer i will sign,” was Dennis Schröder‘s response in an online exchange with a fan who demanded that he sign an extension with the Lakers, relays Harrison Faigen of Silver Screen and Roll. Schröder doesn’t specify that he will stay in L.A., but the comment reinforces his desire to test free agency once the season is over.
- The Lakers are hoping to start welcoming fans to the Staples Center beginning April 15, tweets Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated.
Marc Gasol needs to wonder about his future as a professional basketball player.
Lol the narrative is hilarious. Drummond was a minus 8 that night in limited minutes, Gasol plus 20 when he came back into the lineup…if they’re stupid enough to get rid of Gasol, I’d be shocked, and I know that would be the fastest signing Pat Riley ever made in his life
This is rumors but from what I understand Drummond is going to get some shine because he is playing for a new contract. I think when it comes to crunch time/closing five the guarantee of him being out there is much smaller. This is the agreement for him to come to LA. Again, just rumors.
So based on his first 14 minutes playing with the team it’s not too early to say that Drummond is even worse than Marc Gasol has been this year?
Please, buy him out and let him come to GSW, where he’d actually be one of the like 6 people who still can function in a outdated motion offense they keep using to hilariously bad results smh
Dude just accept the tank it’s a weird short season even if Curry can drag them to the first round on his own what’s the point?
No new coach or combination of buyout guys is the path to a title for this year’s Warrior team. Healthy Clay, healthy Curry, Wiseman w a year of experience, wherever their MN pick ends up, and maybe some offseason moves.
Mayyyyybe just maybe then they have a shot.
I honestly think the goal is to finish 10th and hope the Wolves pick conveys so they can get the 4th pick and the what, 12th pick? And then make the playoffs too just to let Curry loose. This is an all-time great year from Curry this year, its plain irresponsible to tank when he’s going absolutely wild. Also not trading Oubre means no tank.
This was on twitter today:
“The Golden State Warriors have the 7th worst offense in NBA history when Stephen Curry isn’t on the floor.
With him, they have the 13th best offense in the league.
We are watching one of the greatest floor raising jobs of all time”
So get to the 10th spot, then just give the ball to Curry in the play in game and hope he goes into full sicko joker mode in the playoffs, which he could easily do. They aren’t a bad team at all when both Steph and Dray are there, they might take a run if it gets to that play-in game.
Accepting a tank would make sense if that’s what they were doing, but I think they’re trying to eat all the cake they can with the draft while also making the playoffs, then just letting Steph be James Harden for once and see what happens.
The problem is too-confusing gameplans from Kerr and Kerr not playing Juan Toscano and Damion Lee enough. And yes, this team simply useless and awful without Steph Curry, but we knew that.
If only Steph was capable of scoring 36 PPG for an entire season (and stay healthy) like Harden can, then maybe they would.
Marty aka fair weathered fan. Lol you were saying playoffs all year and now are jumping ship? I thought curry was the goat?
Gasol texting masai “hey, big head” right now.
Vogel is a fool. Play the best 1 not sum new fool no loyal fool
Whatchusayfool?
Jovan Buha, I am not sure what you see…how can you say he is a good fit only one game into Drummond’s tenure, even though he posted 4 points on 2/6 shooting, 1 rebound, 3 turnovers, and 4 personal fouls….in 14 minutes. Plus he hasn’t even played with LeBron/AD yet… Personally, I can’t stand a lot of the narratives that come from the Athletic writers.
You got the nail on the head. This isn’t the Lakers until James and Davis return. Until then these are exhibition games that count in the standings
Wow, Gasol’s corpse seems mad.
Why is Dennis replying to strangers on Twitter in the first place?
Hey gasoline if you want to be plan A then play like it. They went out and got Drummond because you are giving them nothing. And for Schroeder he is either unhappy with the Lakers for some reason. Not sure if the Lakers can pay or offer more after the season, but if he is looking for more then adios.
Gasol is not going anywhere. Mistake to get rid of him. Lakers won’t do it they know they need depth. Drummond has to play to get acclimated to his team. Only makes sense. Gasol is playoff tested they will need him. Harrell should also get mins at the 4. AD is not playing 48 mins. Not a Laker fan. But I like Harrell, Bron, AD front line. Best small ball frontline you can have, all can play 3,4,5.