Andrew Bogut's decision to go back to his native land of Australia was much more than a desire to reconnect with his family and brings his children closer to home, but the aftermath of a series of disappointments during his two years since being traded to the Golden State Warriors. The Los Angeles Lakers, the last team he played for before returning to his homeland, was partly to blame.
“The Lakers told me I’d be there the whole year,” Bogut told Mark Medina of the San Jose Mercury News. “They went against their word and waived me at the deadline. Whatever. That was their decision.”
“I was basically lied to,” Bogut added.
Take in account that Bogut was waived twice before signing with the Lakers, first by the Philadelphia 76ers after being traded by the Dallas Mavericks and later on by the Cleveland Cavaliers after lasting only 56 seconds in his debut, sustaining a season-ending injury.
Bogut was signed with the promise of becoming the Lakers' starting center, but that promise soon went to a wash, as he started in only five of 24 games with the team, who would later waive him before the deadline.
The Lakers are not the only team that have made a promise they couldn't keep, but after being waived three times in the span of two years (51 games played), Bogut had enough of the non-guaranteed NBA life and pursued a career in Australia.
There he became the league's MVP, ultimately making a triumphant return to the Warriors, who will look to make the most of his rejuvenated body through this upcoming playoff run.
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