Best trade each rumored team can offer the Detroit Pistons for Andre Drummond
The Detroit Pistons are gauging interest in Andre Drummond trade talks. Should a bidding war ensue, these could be each team’s best offer.
The Detroit Pistons are actively seeking an Andre Drummond trade on the market, according to multiple media reports on Friday, but nothing is imminent.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Atlanta Hawks and Pistons had been engaged in discussions to acquire Drummond. Later, Yahoo!’s Vincent Goodwill added that Toronto, Dallas and Boston have interest, noting that Drummond is friends with Mavericks forward Kristaps Porzingis and Raptors guard Kyle Lowry.
All of this comes hours after owner Tom Gores told reporters that the Pistons need to “look at everything,” all but endorsing a rebuild. Detroit lost 126-112 at Staples Center to the championship-contending Los Angeles Clippers with Gores in attendance. It was Detroit’s ninth loss in 11 games a third straight to begin a six-game road swing.
Drummond, 26, is on an expiring contract worth $27.1 million, which may be hard for several contending teams to match without giving up a key piece. But Drummond has a $28.8 million player option for 2020-21, which would increase his value if he were to publicly state he would opt-in for a contender or a preferred destinations list.
analysis. Taking a look at Detroit Pistons trade value. light
That seems unlikely, however, because last summer, Drummond stated his intentions and excitement for the free agency process. He’d also likely be the top free agent on the unrestricted market, assuming Anthony Davis re-signs with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Since the Pistons are engaged in talks to trade Drummond, it appears they believe he will elect free agency or wouldn’t re-sign with the Pistons, as Detroit News’ Rod Beard suggests.
For the Pistons to maximize a return, they may enter a bidding war to ensure the best collection of assets, whether that’s draft picks, young players or contracts expiring at season’s end or ahead of the loaded 2021 free agent class.
One team that hasn’t been implicated in negotiations is the Charlotte Hornets. In November, news broke that they were interested in signing Drummond in free agency. Though with a healthy market available via trade, they could be thrown into the mix. While that won’t be evaluated in this story, Piston Powered took a look at that option previously.
trade rumors. Hornets interested in Pistons' Andre Drummond. light
Since gaining a starting spot in 2013-14, Drummond has led the league in offensive rebounds. Over the last seven seasons he has been the league’s leading rebounder in total rebounds. He’s played 575 games since he entered the league in 2012-13, which is tied for sixth in the NBA.
This season he is averaging a career-best 17.8 points and 2 steals per game. His 15.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.8 blocks per game are second among career marks.
As the bidding begins, here are potentially the best trade packages from each of the teams to rumored to have interest. To clarify, these are perceived to be the push-to-the-brink, final-straw trade packages teams would offer before backing out.