Detroit Pistons: Where are the Pistons’ 2016 playoff starters today?

Former Detroit Pistons, where are they now? Andre Drummond

The Detroit Pistons selected Drummond ninth overall in the 2012 NBA Draft in hopes that he would become their franchise center. In his nearly eight seasons with the team, Drummond would make two All-Star appearances, one of which was in the 15-16 season.

Drummond averaged 16.2 points and 14.8 rebounds per contest during the regular season. Free throw shooting was often the first critique anyone could bring up about Drummond. The big man had his worst season shooting from the charity stripe as he managed to only make 35.5 percent of his free throws that season.

Intentionally fouling Drummond throughout the game was the strategy many teams engaged in when they played Detroit. In a nine-point win against the Houston Rockets, Drummond attempted 36 free throws, and he only managed to sink 13 of his attempts.

In game two against the Cavaliers, Drummond put up 20 points and seven rebounds, but he was forced to take 16 shots from the free-throw line and sunk only four of them. Drummond managed 16.8 points and nine rebounds per game in the Pistons series against the Cavs.

Of the Pistons’ starters in this series, Drummond and Jackson lasted the longest with the team. Both players parted ways with Detroit during the 2019-2020 season. While Jackson was bought out, Drummond was traded to the Cavaliers in exchange for Brandon Knight, John Henson, and a second-round pick. The big man accepted his player option to remain with the Cavs, but he would eventually be bought out during the 2020-2021 season. He would then sign with the Lakers and reunite with KCP.

In 20 games with the Lakers, Drummond is averaging 11.9 points and 10.1 rebounds while splitting time at center with Montrezl Harrell and Marc Gasol. Drummond’s free throw shooting has improved as he is now shooting 60.4 percent from the line this season, still well below league average but not nearly as embarrassing as his percentage from 15-16. With Lebron James and Anthony Davis returning to the Lakers lineup heading into the playoffs, the defending champions will look to repeat with Drummonds help this postseason.