Andrew Bogut released by Los Angeles Lakers

I see the NBL in his future

Come to the Celtics big fella!!!

Better not go to the Wildcats

It was always a weird fit, despite those that said at the time he was 'signing for next season'.

Hopefully he can link up with a contender. Boston would be good, Wizards could use him too. Maybe the Wolves.

Aren't Milwaukee looking for a new centre?

I can see Sydney throwing big bucks at him next season. A lot of it for culture. Fewer games, less time in planes, better for an old, banged-up body.

Sack Gaze. Randle and Bogut bookending the lineup. Maybe Prather at the 3. Lisch at the 2. Import 4 man, maybe a stretch guy who can still hold his own under the backboard. Whittington type.

Backups maybe Cadee (I said yesterday that he shouldn't return, but he is a good backup), Humphries, Pineau, Kernich-Drew. That's enough. If Blanchfield is on a multi-year contract then he comes off the bench and you got 10 guys there.

Kernich-Drew or Steindl. One of them should be available and Sydney should snap up. Daniel Dillon on the market or multi-year deal at Melbourne?

Steindl is contracted for next year at Perth

Ah yeah, Kernich-Drew is due to break out anyway. Bring him over

He'll go to a contender for sure but if by slim chance he ends up at the Kings, he'd be an interesting one to watch with his no-nonsense, vocal personality.

It's such a shame he had so many injury issues. Was definitely a talent and one of the best players to come out of Australia.

I'm sure the Kings still have the promo material from the old Lockout attempt... could save a few bucks...

Would love to see him back, especially at the Kings (it's not beyond their thinking to splash out all the $$$ on him and then have no money left for anyone else) and I don't really follow the NBA, but surely he'll be able to skip around to random teams the next season or so still?

Moving to where other players have asked for him. It won't be GSW because he isn’t blinded by faith.

He was a very solid player in his prime. Not even in the discussion for busts, let alone worst #1 picks of all time. You're an idiot.

Is he money-motivated though? The vet minimum isn't mind-blowingly more than what the Kings would offer him. What's a couple million to (probably) a hundred-millionaire?

Should all come down to what he wants more... to be idolised in a big role in what should be a championship contender in his home country, or a minor role in a league with more prestige. From the outside looking in, I know what I'd do.

Plus he'd have more opportunity to hang out with good pal Liz Cambage

Honestly, Bogut would not produce enough to justify the $$$ needed to get him out here at this point in his career - he's better off pocketing a few million a year as a team's 3rd big in the NBA, if he can get it. Failing that, sure, but if an NBL team drops big coin and promotes him using footage of the Bucks' years Bogut, I think they're going to be disappointed.

Not even close by the hater up there ^

Was definitely the league's second best center behind Dwight Howard, and was gaining ground. To this day he was one of the best passing NBA bigs this century. Was starting to master the concept of horizontal space. Beast defensively and a guy you could actually throw the ball to on the block. Great athlete for his size. Then the injuries. Cannot stand when people call others a bust because of injuries. Takes credibility away from everyone and lets the real busts (Kwame, Bennett etc) off the hook. Greg Oden was near enough to a HOF lock if healthy. Poor bastard. How dare someone label those guys busts. Seriously

I doubt any NBL team would be naive enough to promote him in such a way. They'd realise they couldn't fool the general public like that, because his career has been so well followed over here.

Would Bogut take $200-$300k? I'd be happy dishing that up for the culture and learning opportunities for teammates. I assume he'd be the kind of guy yo give back to up-and-comers like that. Humphries could be his pet project

If he is serious about playing in 2020 Olympics (he will be nearly 36) the NBL would be much better for his body than NBA.
Sydney would be most likely spot for him.
If the young Lakers don't want him why would a contending team

Bogut was waived because the deadline was approaching that his vet min contract was to become fully guaranteed for the rest of the season.

If a crap team like the Lakers isn't even willing to give him a vet min contract for the whole season I think his NBA career is just about done.

There would be a slight chance another NBA team picks him up for this season but I would think the chances of getting an NBA contract next season would be almost nil unless he would be willing to take a training camp invite and try and play his way onto a roster.

More chance of him playing in the NBL for a Melbourne or Sydney next season I would've thought.

If Sydney sign him I guarantee every highlight of him on the Kings' social media pages will be from his Bucks days throwing down dunks, and JvG will be expecting 20-10 from him.

I could see him going home to play for Melbourne maybe as a direct replacement for David Andersen. Most of Melb's team is out of contract after this season but I wouldn't they could expect much more than say 8 & 5 out of him.

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Bogut was never a bust. He was potentially an all-star, but injuries cruelled this and led to him being a role player.

Bogut was looking like a genuine inside/outside beast, but the elbow (?) injury hobbled his outside shot.

In spite of the injuries, look at how important he's been for the Boomers. He’s still a basketball-smart big guy a team can run the offence through and change an opponents offensive game by.

Bogut is still our greatest NBA product to date (but will be surpassed by Jnr Simmons).

Ok, so I readily admit to being out of touch with the NBA for a long time, and even most of the Aussie players these days, but SURELY any team would be able to expect more than 8 & 5 out of him?!

Ok, I'm bored at work so it's devil's advocate time... Say the Kings DO splash some cash at him and he's healthy to last a whole season... Say they can average an extra 3,000 people to all 14 home games just based on his name alone, averaging out at maybe $25 ticket ($15 for cheapest, $35 for decent ones), that's $1.05M just on tickets, not even factoring jersey sales, overpriced game day food sales, bringing in sponsors... So $750k for 28 games (Kings will manage to screw it up and still not make the playoffs) seems to be more than reasonable... Try to get some injury clauses in to minimise risk and playing decent minutes in a decent comp would be fairly good for him to stay in shape for the 2020 Olympics, yes?

Zodiac I think you'll find it was a mutual move. The Lakers need more perimeter shooting and this gives Bogut the chance to join a playoff team. Nothing to do with the Lakers not want to give him a vet minimum because he's washed up.

He'll sign with someone in the playoff hunt soon enough - most likely the Bucks.

Ok, so I readily admit to being out of touch with the NBA for a long time, and even most of the Aussie players these days, but SURELY any team would be able to expect more than 8 & 5 out of him?!

Agree with him playing in NBL.

NBL teams/ PR have a penchant for promoting "ex NBA", “Boomer” and “NBA calibre/future” recruits. Bogut would tick at least 2 boxes (still NBA calibre IMHO).

I like WookieE's estimates. Bogut would put bums on seats and sell merchandise.

Who needs the boost the most? Sydney.

If it was the AFL, an equivalent player would be largely paid by the league to develop an emerging/ underperforming market (think Ablett Jr at the Suns, the NRL converts etc).

Maybe Bogut could be enticed with a leg-up to a post-ball career start.

Zodiac I think you'll find it was a mutual move. The Lakers need more perimeter shooting and this gives Bogut the chance to join a playoff team. Nothing to do with the Lakers not want to give him a vet minimum because he's washed up.

Why all the talk about Sydney?

He grew up in Melbourne.

Both teams have $ and few players contracted for next season, but give that Melbourne is his original home, would make United a more likely destination.

It's the spin the Lakers put on it actually. They want the option for guys on 10-day contracts because they clearly need more perimeter shooting and wanted to give Bogut the chance to sign with a playoff team...which he will...

Unlikely he was only averaging 1.5 ppg & 3.3 rpg this season.

Why all the talk about Sydney?

He grew up in Melbourne.

Scooch, if you want to believe that go right ahead. Just keep in mind what kind of contract the Lakers gave him and who their coach is and what his history with Bogut was.

This contract was an NBA lifeline for Bogut it doesn't mean there is no chance another team will pick him up eventually this season but clearly his NBA days are numbered.

Yeah, in 9mpg...

So what is the issue with Bogut, then?

Is it merely that his body is breaking down? Can't he pass a physical?

Cos on face value, it makes zero sense that there wouldn't be NBA interest. He was one of the best defensive and passing big men in the NBA not long ago.

The Warriors were in a winning position in the Finals 18 months ago until he got injured. IMHO the entire city of Cleveland can thank Bogut's injury for breaking their 50 whatever year championship drought.

And he's only, what, 33? If he joined the Spurs he'd barely be considered a veteran....

Bogut had been handy in the 2016 finals.

It was after his injury that Lebron (and to a lesser extent Irving) started aggressively attacking the hoop and scoring off the drive. I bet Kerr would've loved to throw Bogut in for some rim protection.

Fwiw Bogut had 10 blocks in 60 minutes in the first 4 and a half games of 2016 finals.

Warriors may have been outscored with him on court but I reckon if he was still available, he could've made a big difference because of the way Lebron and Kyrie exposed the Warriors D without him.

But notwithstanding his contribution in the finals, he was still a key contributor in a great team over a couple of years there.

So the question remains, why wouldn't NBA teams be interested? Look at the $ Tyson Chandler is on, or Aaron Baynes.

Not sure that you need to be so pejorative with your assessment of Bogut's role on the Warriors.

No doubt for match up reasons he became less useful in the finals but he was a useful contributor in earlier rounds and during the season (when healthy). The Warriors had a specific tactic of starting games big and finishing them small. Can’t say it didn’t work until the Finals.

Bogut if healthy would still be a good player in the NBL - better than Jawai say - but not athletic enough these days to tear the comp apart. Depends on whether he is healthy though.

Bogut's body language on the bench was atrocious from day one. He was like a statue when his team mates did good things. The guy is a bit of a douche and perhaps his value is diminished by his attitude.

Why all the talk about Sydney?

Yes, I realise he was almost signed by the Kings but that was 5 years ago when the Kings had different owners.

You're right though, it does smell like the sort of move they would make.

It would certainly get a few extra bums on seats.

Randle and Bogut, let's hope they get along!

Depending on his body, I think a rich man's Maric (circa 2016-17) is what he would have to offer, which would be fine on a winning team, but underwhelming as far as an on-court spectacle goes for a team like the Kings.

Quite a bit more than a rich man's Maric I reckon, physically he will still be standout in the NBL. Trying to prevent him offensive rebounding would be difficult.

If you think Tyler was dominant when parked in front of opponent's rim, Bogut's size and reach is one more level above that even at this twilight stage. 7'3" wingspan with 9'3" standing reach coupled with high bball IQ is something we've never seen here I'm sure.

His major weakness would be perimeter defense, he is a lot slower than he was. Sadly, your current coach has no clue how to teach his team how to properly rotates.

Dont the Lakers and Kings have ownership connections?

Would Melbourne replace an aging Andersen with an aging and injury prone Bogut?
For next season of course.

Bogut's size is nothing new there are even bigger guys currently in the NBL like Alex Pledger and much bigger in the past like Sam Harris, Luke Nevill & Jason Eversteyn.

Steve did mention basketball IQ as well, so that rules out most of them... and it's not like all those examples were top shelf...

Thx Wookiee, I should emphasise the IQ bit I suppose. If it was size alone, Neville would be the most imposing with a mammoth 7'6" wingspan IIRC. A cardboad cutout of Yao Ming wrapped around a power pole would be even more imposing and as skillful as some of the guys Zodiac mentioned...

If he ever comes to the NBL, it would generate extreme hype for the game, lets hope that if he does, it is at least when he still has game...