I’m a sucker for Bill Simmons’ trade-value rankings. So, I created a list using the same criteria – production, contract status and age – for the Pistons. The order runs lowest-to-highest value.
No. 1 Andre Drummond
| 2014/15 | 2015/16 | |
| Andre Drummond | $2,568,360 | $3,272,091 |
This didn’t go up before the deadline thanks to the Pistons’ flurry of late trades, but who else was going to claim the top spot?
Drummond is the Pistons’ most promising – read: not best – since Grant Hill.
At just 21, Drummond has shown a rare blend of size and athleticism. He’s arguably already the NBA’s best rebounder. He’s an explosive leaper and fantastic finisher. His highlights are incredible.
He’s also far from a finished product. His defensive rotations are up and down, but they’re trending in the right direction. His post moves are even more hit or miss. And his free-throw shooting is infamously bad.
But, without question, Drummond is Detroit’s franchise player – and he’s still on his rookie-scale contract next year. Great value.