Sources: Lakers release center Andrew Bogut

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Andrew Bogut played 24 games for the Lakers. (AP)
Andrew Bogut played 24 games for the Lakers. (AP)

The Los Angeles Lakers are releasing center Andrew Bogut, league sources told Yahoo Sports.

The move allows the sides to part ways with the Lakers (11-27) out of postseason contention and gives Bogut — a former NBA champion — an opportunity to sign with a playoff team. The Lakers faced a deadline this weekend on the guarantee date for Bogut’s one-year partially guaranteed contract.

In 24 games with the Lakers, Bogut averaged 1.5 points, 3.3 rebounds and 68 percent shooting. He remained healthy, showed leadership in the locker room and made five starts when the team lost Brook Lopez to a sprained ankle. Bogut, 33, is expected to continue working out in Los Angeles as he searches for a postseason contender to join, league sources said.

There is expected to be interest in Bogut among several playoff contenders seeking frontcourt defense and rim protection.

Bogut was the starting center on the Warriors’ 2015 championship team where Lakers head coach Luke Walton served as an assistant under Golden State coach Steve Kerr.

Bogut recovered from the fractured leg he suffered as a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers late last season and joined the Lakers in the offseason. He played for Cleveland and Dallas a season ago.

Bogut has established himself as a solid defensive presence and frontcourt passer in 13 NBA seasons with Milwaukee, Golden State, Dallas, Cleveland and Los Angeles, averaging 9.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.6 blocks. He was the No. 1 overall pick by the Bucks in the 2005 NBA draft.

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