Ex-Lakers Center Shares Powerful Message to Youth After Career Downfall

A humbling couple of years!

The Los Angeles Lakers have handed out and taken on a number of poor contracts over the years, they are no stranger to this and with the new CBA making it difficult to hold on to cap space for the future, it will likely happen more times in the future. However, GM Rob Pelinka and the rest of LA’s front office has done a tremendous job at making a number of moves when possible to clean up the roster and get off of those contracts.

The purple and gold has also become a refugee at times for veterans whose better playing days are behind them but they are still serviceable enough to land a role on the team through a small deal. Dwight Howard has experienced this multiple times, Carmelo Anthony finished his career here and even Andre Drummond was also welcomed in as the Lakers were looking to win a second straight championship in the 2021 season. Drummond was one of the best rebounding and defensive centers in the league back when he suited up for the Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers, logging numerous historic double-double games and manning the paint en route to two All-Star appearances.

But after a failed stint with the Lakers where he played just 21 games and had an awkward fit, he’s bounced around on a number of squads and will now be returning to the Chicago Bulls on a veteran minimum contract.

And even though Drummond is no longer even the starting center on his new team, he has accepted his role and just appreciates still being in the league. He shared a powerful message to the next generation of hoopers about he’s learned from this experience and everybody should listen.

Andre Drummond kept it real with young hoopers 💯

(via @AndreDrummond) pic.twitter.com/jZ4IW4or6O

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 10, 2023

“I was that guy,” said Drummond. “I was a $100 million guy. I was pouting. I was upset when I wasn’t playing. I went from $100 million to f****ng leave minimum.” (Via NBA On ESPN)

Drummond went on to continue to explain why these players need to learn to support their teammates even if they aren’t the number one option or even in the game at the moment. We love to see him spreading a positive message and being happy with his career even if he isn’t a member of the Lakers anymore!

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