Taking a look at Detroit Pistons trade value
Andre Drummond
Andre Drummond is continuing a career year, scoring a career-high 17.9 points per game. He is leading the league in rebounding for the fifth straight year in total rebounds and fourth in five years in rebounds per game. He’s improved as a passer and is a solid two-way player.
He’s an expiring contract with bird rights attached but as Rod Beard referenced in his column, Drummond could opt-in to his $28.8 million player option and that could extend his trade value, such as what the Toronto Raptors did with extending Kyle Lowry for one more year.
Beard also mentioned that if the Pistons were going to offer Drummond a maximum deal, they would have already. That could create a bidding war in free agency if the Pistons are more interested in a deal in the $20-$25 million range.
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Among contenders, the Celtics and Mavericks could be possible suitors. Enes Kanter isn’t known as a defensive commodity and the Celtics could look to improve on him, knowing they let Al Horford walk. The flip side is Joel Embiid has dominated Drummond and Brook Lopez has caused issues as a shooter and pulling Drummond away from the basket. The Mavericks also reportedly have interest.
The other avenue is a team full of young players that could be looking for a veteran center to pair, though Drummond is only 26-years-old. The Charlotte Hornets reportedly have interest in Drummond if he were to hit free agency, and could possibly be pulled into a trade if they can make a run at a playoff spot. The Atlanta Hawks and Chicago Bulls could be teams that have interest given how Drummond would fit with their rosters.
Drummond’s value could ultimately fluctuate depending on what he does with his player option. He isn’t going to yield a PJ Washington-type player. Malik Monk, Gordon Hayward, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Kris Dunn among a host of other expiring contracts could be had in a Drummond deal along with an assortment of picks, likely second-round picks.
Trade value is hard to gauge with a weak free agent market in 2020. It could lead to a more active trade market than in recent years and the Pistons should explore that market with a season that has been filled with disappointment.