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2017 NBA free agency grades: Los Angeles Lakers nab Andrew Bogut

By Nicholas Agar-Johnson

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - AUGUST 6: Andrew Bogut NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - AUGUST 6: Andrew Bogut NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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After less than one minute of court time with the Cleveland Cavaliers last season, Andrew Bogut is back in the Western Conference on a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Andrew Bogut‘s career has been a tale of bad injury luck. After playing in all 82 games in his rookie year with the Milwaukee Bucks, Bogut only played 70 or more games in two of his next 11 seasons.

Last year proved to be especially difficult, as Bogut played in only 27 total games. His time with the Cleveland Cavaliers lasted less than one minute before he was carted off the court.

Given Bogut’s age and spotty career health history, it was sad but possible that his career could have come to a close on the court in Cleveland.

However, Andrew Bogut managed to find a suitor late in free agency:

The move is certainly a downgrade for Bogut in team quality. He goes from the Eastern Conference champs to one of the worst teams in the NBA in the Los Angeles Lakers. That being said, Bogut can still provide solid value when he is on the floor.

Andrew Bogut is not the same defensive menace that he was for the Golden State Warriors. In spite of that, he is still a force to be reckoned with on that end of the floor. Even in a down year last year, opponents shot 53.1 percent on shots contested by Bogut less than six feet from the basket per NBA.com — a full 9.3 percent worse than average.

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In addition to his defensive prowess, Bogut is still one of the best rebounders in the league. He grabbed 20.7 percent of available rebounds while on the floor last season. That was the 11th-best mark in the league among players who averaged 15 or more minutes per game last season.

On the offensive end, Bogut is not a threat to take touches away from the Lakers’ young players. His Usage Rate was a stunningly low 10.6 percent last season. Instead of soaking up shots, Bogut’s role on offense will primarily be as a facilitator. He is still an excellent passer out of the post, and his frequently questionable screens are nonetheless very effective.

The only real question of importance for Andrew Bogut at this point is his health. He is still an effective player on both ends of the floor, but the main issue for him is actually staying on the floor.

Still, the Lakers made a smart gamble by adding Bogut. He is a far more effective defender than Brook Lopez, and can shore up their big man depth. If Bogut cannot manage to stay healthy, the Lakers did not risk much by signing him to a cheap one-year deal.

Next: The 50 greatest NBA players of all time (updated, 2016-17)

Grade: B

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