Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond could be traded very soon. The Pistons have talked to several teams, including the Atlanta Hawks, about a possible trade for Drummond, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.com.
Detroit and Atlanta have been engaged in talks on a trade centered on Andre Drummond, league sources tell ESPN. No deal imminent, but Detroit is talking to Hawks and several other teams on Drummond, sources said.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 3, 2020
The Hawks have talked about a trade package that would give the Pistons a 2020 first-round pick via the Brooklyn Nets, salary-cap relief for expiring contracts, and other assets, according to Wojnarowski.
League sources tell Prime Time Sports Talk’s Ross Luppino that Alex Len would be one of the pieces heading to Detroit.
Alex Len would be part of the deal, source says. https://t.co/AEi1dBEqfZ
— Prime Time Sports Talk (@TalkPrimeTime) January 3, 2020
Drummond has a $29 million player option for the 2020-21 season that he is expected to decline the option so he can become a free agent.
“I’m a free agent next summer,” he told reporters back in August. “It should be fun. I’m excited.”
Drummond was drafted by the Pistons in 2012. He has spent his entire career with the Pistons. This season, he is averaging a career-high 17.6 points, an NBA-leading 15.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists, a pair of steals, and 1.8 blocks. He is shooting 53.7 percent from the field and has a career-best 61.4 free-throw percentage.
So, where will Drummond end up? In addition to the Hawks, the Boston Celtics, Dallas Mavericks, and the Toronto Raptors are interested in Drummond, according to Vincent Goodwill of Yahoo Sports.
Boston, Dallas, Toronto have also registered interest in Andre Drummond, according to sources. Drummond has relationships with Kristaps Porzingis and Kyle Lowry
— Vincent Goodwill (@VinceGoodwill) January 3, 2020
Hawks
The Hawks currently have an NBA-worst record of 7-27. They will miss the playoffs and are on pace to win less than 30 games for the third year in a row.
The Hawks don’t have a dominant presence in the paint and Drummond could be that. The Hawks also have a lot of young players that could help rebuild and turn the team around. Drummond could help with that, too.
Celtics
The Celtics would be a good fit for Drummond. They haven’t been able to replace Al Horford, who went to the Philadelphia 76ers. Drummond would be a great replacement for Horford. However, the Celtics would probably have to offer the Pistons a huge package in order to get Drummond.
Mavericks
Adding Drummond would give the Mavericks more great talent. As Goodwill notes, Drummond has a relationship with Mavericks forward Kristaps Prozingis, so he would fit in with Dallas. The Mavericks want to add Drummond so they can make a playoff push and appear in the NBA Finals.
Raptors
Just like with the Mavericks, the Raptors would just be adding more talent if they got Drummond. Drummond would be a good addition for the Raptors, who want to win another title.
Prediction
The Pistons will trade Drummond. So, what team will get him? He will go to either the Mavericks or Raptors, most likely the former.
