Celtics reportedly set to pursue Andre Drummond after buyout from Cleveland
The two-time All-Star Drummond hasn't played since February as Cleveland has sought a trade for him.
The Boston Celtics might have missed out on their top frontcourt target at the trade deadline, but they might have a shot at another big name about to hit the buyout market.
Center Andre Drummond has reportedly agreed to a buyout with the Cleveland Cavaliers after an extended statemate and will become a free agent, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
Multiple reports suggest the Celtics will be among the teams to pursue the two-time All-Star after failing to acquire All-Star big man Nikola Vucevic, who was traded to the Chicago Bulls, before Thursday’s deadline.
The Celtics are expected to target centers on the buyout market, including Andre Drummond, sources tell @ByJayKing.
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) March 26, 2021
đź“š https://t.co/oduJwVWNgm pic.twitter.com/lMaqOhhWYY
The 27-year-old Drummond is averaging 17.5 points and 13.5 rebounds a game this season but has not played since mid-February when the Cavaliers benched him while they sought a trade. The center is in the final year of a five-year, $127 million contract he originally signed with the Detroit Pistons, the team that drafted him ninth overall in 2012, and is set to make almost $29 million this year.
At his best, the nine-year veteran is among the game’s best rebounders, leading the league in rebounds four times in his career. But he’s struggled offensively this season despite his point totals, ranking among the NBA’s worst at his position this year in effective field goal percentage overall and at finishing at the rim. He also doesn’t provide elite value as a shot-blocker and is just average in terms of points per possession allowed defensively.
Still, Drummond would likely serve as an upgrade over Tristan Thompson in most aspects and could be a possible 20-point, 10-rebound contributor. Also, signing Drummond reportedly wouldn’t preclude Robert Williams from taking on a larger role, something Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge highlighted as a reason for trading versatile center Daniel Theis.
Boston figures to face strong competition from several teams, including the New York Knicks and both the Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers, to sign Drummond for the rest of the season or beyond.
In other news, the Celtics will reportedly not strongly pursue fellow buyout candidate LaMarcus Aldridge, who is likely to sign with the Miami Heat or Portland Trail Blazers per league sources.
Get Boston.com's browser alerts:
Enable breaking news notifications straight to your internet browser.
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com