Bogut seeks new club ahead of playoffs
ANDREW Bogut’s NBA journey has taken another surprise turn with the Los Angeles Lakers waiving the Australian centre.
Bogut has struggled for court time since landing at the Lakers in September on the eve of the 2017-18 season and has averaged just 1.5 points, three rebounds and nine minutes in 24 games.
He was released four days before his one-year contract would have been guaranteed after requesting to be let go to pursue other opportunities. Lakers coach Luke Walton spoke glowingly of Bogut’s veteran knowledge and his leadership, in particular on the defensive end.
“We’re gonna miss him, obviously,” Walton said. “He was an ultimate professional all season, up to date, great with the young guys.
“Never complained. Came in, worked every single day.
“We’ll definitely miss him around here in the facility, talking and just kind of leading in the way he leads.
“Hopefully, I’m sure other teams out there that know what he’s capable of, he’ll end up in a good situation for him.”
With the Lakers losing their past nine games to be 11-27 and bottom of the western conference standings, 33- year-old Bogut is eager to join a playoffs-bound team.
Bogut, the NBA’s No.1 draft pick in 2005, won an NBA title with the Golden State Warriors but has became a journeyman over the past two years, with an unsuccessful stop last season at the Dallas Mavericks and an infamous 58-second stint at the Cleveland Cavaliers that ended when he broke his leg on debut.