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Centers with worse contracts than Detroit Pistons’ Andre Drummond

By Ryan Love

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK- APRIL 5: Andre Drummond #0 of the Detroit Pistons and Steven Adams #12 of the Oklahoma City Thunder reach for the rebound during the game on April 5, 2019 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK- APRIL 5: Andre Drummond #0 of the Detroit Pistons and Steven Adams #12 of the Oklahoma City Thunder reach for the rebound during the game on April 5, 2019 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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OAKLAND, CA – MARCH 23: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the Dallas Mavericks warms up against Golden State Warriors on March 23, 2019 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – MARCH 23: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the Dallas Mavericks warms up against Golden State Warriors on March 23, 2019 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Kristaps Porzingis

The unicorn is not what it once was but the Mavericks must not think so.

Dallas brought in Kristaps Porzingis in a trade last season with the New York Knicks along with Courtney Lee, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Trey Burke for Dennis Smith Jr., Wesley Matthews, DeAndre Jordan, a 2021 first-round pick (unprotected) and a 2023 first-round pick (top-10 protected).

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Not only did the Mavericks risk their future for Porzingis in the trade, but they committed to him long-term this offseason.

The Latvian big man signed a 5-year, $158.25 million maximum contract that includes a player option for 2023.

Despite his incredible upside and potential, he showed when he was playing in New York, that commitment ensures the Pistons are in a better situation with Drummond than they would be with Porzingis.

Porzingis, 23, is coming off an injury that forced him out of his All-Star 2017-18 season and kept him out for all of the 2018-19 season.

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Before tearing his Anetrior Cruciate Ligament, he averaged just under 23 points and seven rebounds per game. At 7-foot-3, Porzingis served as an effective shot blocker, averaging two blocks per game for his short career.

He averages 46.7 percent shooting from the floor and 36 percent from 3-point range.

On the surface, the commitment by the Mavericks to lock up Porzingis for what should be his physical prime is a steal. He will be 28 by the time his player option comes around.

However, a player of his frame and the nagging injuries poses a significant risk to a Dallas team looking to move past its rebuilding stage and into a contender.

Porzingis’s deal is reportedly not structured in a way that protects against any further injuries or missed time (i.e. Joel Embiid).

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For the amount of money he is owed combined with no injury protections, the Porzingis contract could be a disaster.

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