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3 reasons the Detroit Pistons shouldn’t trade Andre Drummond

By Aaron Kellerstrass

Detroit Pistons Andre Drummond. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Detroit Pistons Andre Drummond. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MI – DECEMBER 16: Andre Drummond #0 of the Detroit Pistons helps sponsor a shopping spree for local youth from Special Olympics, Wish Upon A Teen and Building Better Men as a part of the Season of Giving presented by Meijer on December 16, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – DECEMBER 16: Andre Drummond #0 of the Detroit Pistons helps sponsor a shopping spree for local youth from Special Olympics, Wish Upon A Teen and Building Better Men as a part of the Season of Giving presented by Meijer on December 16, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

3. He wants to be in Detroit, does anyone else?

Detroit has never been a free agent destination and never will be. Dreams of nabbing Kawhi Leonard, LeBron James or other top tier players in free agency are just that, dreams. Which is why it is important that Drummond actually wants to play in Detroit. Even with trade rumors swirling, Drummond has remained focused and expressed his interest in finishing his career with the Pistons.

Sekou Doumbouya is the silver lining for the Pistons. light. opinion

Drummond has embraced the Detroit mentality and the fans, which should mean something to a city that doesn’t have the flash of L.A., the tax breaks or beaches of Miami or the financial possibilities of New York. Also, without Drummond the Pistons are just a broken down Blake Griffin and a bunch of role players. They’d likely be coming off three straight losing seasons heading into 2021 free agency and be building around Kennard and Doumbouya, hardly enticing to any free agent looking to win a title.

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However, having Drummond in place may make Detroit more appealing, as a second tier star could step in knowing there is at least one good, selfless player already there, a guy who does all of the little things and doesn’t need the ball to be effective. Drummond, an ascending Doumbouya, Kennard, Bruce Brown and Christian Wood is not a bad core and could be appealing to a younger veteran free agent looking for a good situation. Add whatever Detroit can eventually get for trading Griffin, and the Pistons are well on their way to a quick retool and will still have plenty of cap flexibility and draft assets heading into the 2021 free agent bonanza.

Young, durable players who actually want to play in Detroit are not easy to come by. Pistons’ fans were quick to say goodbye to the Drummond era, but be careful what you wish for. There are good arguments for trading Drummond  but a case can also be made for keeping the teams’ third (soon to be second) all-time leading rebounder and building around him.

3 reasons why the Pistons should trade Drummond. dark. Next

Detroit has some tough decisions to make over the next few weeks and Drummond will be at the center of them.

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