Andrew Bogut has arrived in Los Angeles and the big Australian joked that he hoped he will not go Hollywood.
Bogut made his debut in one of the LA Lakers' iconic purple and gold singlets on Monday when the team held their media day at their new practice facility.
The 32-year-old Australian centre said he had been in contract talks with two other NBA teams, but when they failed to commit and Lakers coach Luke Walton called him in Melbourne last week he signed with LA.
"The other two teams were pitter-pattering their feet," Bogut told reporters.
"There wasn't too much traction going on there.
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"They were hanging me out to dry a little bit to wait and Luke called and said they had an offer for me."
Walton, who coached Bogut at the championship-winning Golden State Warriors, and Lakers President Magic Johnson were keen to add 213cm-tall Bogut's shot blocking, screens and defensive muscle to their young team.
The Lakers were one of the NBA's worst defensive teams last season.
Bogut says he has fully recovered from a broken leg he suffered less than a minute into his debut last season with Cleveland Cavaliers and is ready to add veteran leadership to the young, brash Lakers -- who feature 19-year-old rookie point guard Lonzo Ball.
Bogut rehabilitated his leg in Melbourne and only touched down in LA on Saturday.
"I'm fully cleared," Bogut said.
"I've been working out the last six weeks.
"The only thing I haven't really done is full contact five-on-five."
There is talk Bogut could be set for more minutes than expected as prized recruit Brook Lopez from Brooklyn struggles with a back injury.
Star big man Lopez played down the injury on Monday but was full praise of the Lakers for bringing in Bogut as back-up.
"Just some back spasms, nothing serious at all. (It's) something we wanted to contain so it doesn't become serious," Lopez said.
"I'd definitely rather play with Andrew Bogut than play against him. He'd beat me up normally. But it's very cool having him on the team.
"Obviously, championship pedigree. He knows what it takes to win and he can help teach myself and other young guys as well.
"That's so important to have in this situation.'
NBA teams hold media days at the start of the season, with the Lakers' training camp scheduled to begin on Tuesday.
While speaking to ESPN's reporter, Bogut joked about squeezing his size 18 feet into Ball's Big Baller Brand shoes and also about "going Hollywood".
"That's what I'm worried about," Bogut said.
"Normally when Australians come to Hollywood they become Hollywood."
The Lakers' first pre-season game is against Minnesota Timberwolves on September 30 and their regular season opener is a local match-up with the LA Clippers on October 19.
