Franchise milestones within reach for Andre Drummond

Andre Drummond is entering his seventh season with the Detroit Pistons. It’s time to look at the franchise milestones that are within reach for the center in 2018-19.

The longest-tenured member of the Detroit Pistons is closing in on some historic territory.

Andre Drummond will enter his seventh season with the franchise this fall. After six years and 463 games, he’s placed himself alongside Pistons legends in several statistical categories.

Here is where Drummond currently stands in total rebounds, blocks, and games played in franchise history.

Total rebounds

The NBA rebounding title has gone to the player who leads the league in rebounds per game since the 1950-51 season.

A Piston has achieved this honor eight different times: Larry Foust (1951-52), Bill Laimbeer (1985-86), Dennis Rodman (1991-92, 1992-93), Ben Wallace (2001-02, 2002-03), and Andre Drummond (2015-16, 2017-18).

Dating back to their days in Fort Wayne, Indiana, the Pistons have a storied tradition of dominating on the glass. Drummond, who just turned 25, is fifth on the club’s all-time rebounding list with 6,192 boards.

He will surely eclipse Rodman (6,299) for fourth all-time later this season. That’ll leave only Wallace (7,264), Bob Lanier (8,063), and Laimbeer (9,430) for him to catch. Drummond is rebounding at an unprecedented rate.

Assuming he remains in the Motor City long enough, he will eventually own the franchise record for total rebounds.

Blocks

Although not necessarily known for his shot-blocking ability, Drummond has averaged 1.5 blocks per game throughout his career.

With 707 rejections, he currently sits in sixth place for total blocks as a Piston. That’s more than Rasheed Wallace, Tayshaun Prince, and Dennis Rodman had in Detroit. Drummond needs just three blocks to surpass John Salley for fifth all-time.

He could pass Bill Laimbeer (857) and Bob Lanier (859) in 2018-19, although Drummond would have to match the career-high 153 blocks that he swatted during the 2014-15 season.

But it’ll take much longer to join Terry Tyler (1,070) and franchise-leader Ben Wallace (1,486) in the 1,000-block club. Frankly, Wallace’s record may never be broken.

But if there’s any player that has a shot, it’s Andre Drummond.

Games played

Of the 478 players who have worn a Pistons’ uniform, only 14 of them have amassed at least 500 games with the franchise. That’s just under three percent. Rasheed Wallace didn’t do it. Neither did Grant Hill, Dave DeBusschere, or John Salley.

As of today, Andre Drummond ranks 21st in games played as a Piston with 463. With a marginally healthy 2018-19 season, he will easily break the 500-mark.

Reaching that milestone would place him 15th all-time. To pass Jason Maxiell (523), he needs to play in at least 61 games.

Drummond has missed only seven games in the past five seasons. He should be a lock to become just the 15th player in franchise history to appear in 500 games. Love him or hate him, that’s something special.