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0 out of 5
Tony Dejak / Associated Press
Andre Drummond appears to have played his last game for the Cleveland Cavaliers. The two have “mutually decided” that he will sit until the Cavs can find a business partner, according to Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com.
After a strong start to the season, Drummond’s future in Cleveland came to a close when the Cavaliers traded to 22-year-old center Jarrett Allen in mid-January.
“It was not easy for him to go through this,” a source close to Drummond told Fedor. “He’s disappointed because he wasn’t looking to move on.”
Drummond was key to fueling the Cavaliers’ strong start to the season, averaging 19.3 points, 15.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.6 blocks in 32.2 minutes per game before he Allen did make his debut. Since Allen joined the team, the Cavs have gone just 5-11, including seven straight losses (six by 17 points or more). Drummond’s production has also taken a hit since Allen’s debut, dropping to 15.8 points, 11.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 0.8 blocks in 25.8 minutes per game.
Cavs haven’t spoken to Drummond about a buyout, say Fedor. Both parties are working for “find the best business partner. “
Although Drummond is a two-time All-Star and four-time rebound champion, the Cavaliers shouldn’t expect much from him. They acquired him for a pair of expiring contracts and a second-round pick in 2023 last year, and it will be difficult for other teams to raise enough salary to match his expiring $ 28.8 million contract.
Drummond can still be an important piece for a Championship team if he’s willing to sacrifice his own shots, be a willing passer, and focus on his defense and window cleaning skills. The next five teams would be particularly attractive landing points.
1 of 5
Nell Redmond / Associated Press
Charlotte Hornets receives: C André Drummond
The Cleveland Cavaliers receive: SG Malik Monk, C Cody Zeller, C Bismack Biyombo
The Charlotte Hornets have been one of the league’s nicest surprises this season, and the addition of a center double-double would make it a near playoff lock.
While Zeller and Biyombo have done an admirable job for the Hornets, the two will be free agents this offseason and haven’t done enough to warrant a new long-term deal. Drummond would give Charlotte a higher cap and should be a good choice next to second-year forward PJ Washington.
Monk has started to find his rhythm in recent weeks, but he is still the fourth goalkeeper on this team. The Hornets may not want to give him a new deal this offseason as they already have $ 17.9 million spent on Terry Rozier next season, and Devonte ‘Graham is also becoming a free agent.
Cleveland could keep either of the Zellers or Biyombo as a backup for Jarrett Allen or negotiate buyouts with both. Monk has been playing the best basketball of his career lately (14.7 points shooting 50.9% against three in his last nine games), and he could become part of the Cavaliers’ rotation going forward.
2 of 5
Brandon Wade / Associated Press
Dallas Mavericks receive: C André Drummond
The Cleveland Cavaliers receive: C Dwight Powell, PF James Johnson, 2021 and 2022 second-round pick
The Dallas Mavericks may view Drummond as both a win-win and a way to clear salary cap space for the 2021 offseason.
Dallas ranks 27th in total rebound percentage this season (48.0%), as it has chosen the quantity over quality approach when it comes to filling center position. Since Kristaps Porzingis returned to roster in mid-January, the Mavs have been even worse (29th overall, 47.5%).
Drummond could impose his will on the boards and provide Luka Doncic with a reliable lob target. He also signs up alongside Porzingis, whose offensive play is more based on the perimeter.
Leaving Powell’s contract would also be important.
The 29-year-old has two years and $ 22.2 million left on his contract after this season and has not looked the same when returning from an Achilles injury. Dallas would clear $ 11.1 million in cap space next season with this trade, which he could spend on Victor Oladipo, Mike Conley, Kyle Lowry or use to re-sign Drummond if the partnership works.
For Cleveland, Johnson would be a likely candidate for the takeover, while Powell would become Jarrett Allen’s replacement. While the Cavs would lose some ceiling space next year, they would collect a pair of second-round picks.
3 out of 5
Tony Dejak / Associated Press
New York Knicks Receive: C Andre Drummond, 2021 second round pick (via Dallas Mavericks)
Dallas Mavericks receive: SG Alec Burks, G Frank Ntilikina, G / F Reggie Bullock
The Cleveland Cavaliers receive: F Kevin Knox II, PF James Johnson, 2024 second round pick (via Dallas Mavericks)
To keep pace in the East, the Knicks likely need another great man now that Mitchell Robinson is set to miss the next 4-6 weeks after surgery to repair a broken right hand. They are clearly aiming for the playoffs despite a mostly young roster, as evidenced by their recent trade with Derrick Rose.
In that deal, the Knicks would drag Drummond as a starting center and collect a second-round pick. They grab 53.6% of all rebounds with Robinson on the court this season, compared to just 48.3% when he sits. The Knicks are eighth in rebound percentage this season (51.5%), so Drummond could help them stay afloat without Robinson, but they wouldn’t have to commit to him beyond this year.
Dallas is in desperate need of the shot (35.0% of three as a team, 25th overall), which Burks (42.5%) and Bullock (38.5%) could help solve. While Ntilikina’s playing time has been cut due to the plethora of guards in New York, the 22-year-old could at least serve as a defensive specialist alongside Luka Doncic in the Mavericks’ backcourt.
Cleveland would likely either buy Johnson out or immediately try to redirect him, as he’s on a $ 16 million expiring deal. Getting Knox is the priority. The 21-year-old has improved as a three-point shooter – he has a career-high 38.5% of his attempts this year – but he hasn’t been able to lock in a regular role in the Knicks rotation.
The Cavs would take a bet on the Knox advantage while also receiving a future second from Dallas.
4 out of 5
Darren Abate / Associated press
The San Antonio Spurs receive: C André Drummond
The Cleveland Cavaliers receive: PF / C LaMarcus Aldridge, 2021 second round pick
While Spurs typically don’t do mid-season trades, it would be worth breaking the tradition of flipping a 35-year-old Aldridge for a 27-year-old Drummond.
Aldridge is currently sidelined with a hip injury, and he’s taken a big step back this season, averaging 4.3 rebounds per game. Drummond would serve as the center of gravity for Spurs’ young guards and wings, giving them additional shooting opportunities while giving them a lob catch to the edge.
Aldridge, 35, doesn’t make sense as a long-term play in Cleveland. The Cavs would likely look to send him back to a competitor or possibly agree to a buyout. But Cleveland would save a prorated salary of $ 4.8 million while picking a second-round pick in this year’s draft.
If the Cavs could flip Aldridge for something more, that would be an added bonus. Otherwise, Cleveland would still keep its ceiling space for 2021.
5 out of 5
Brandon Dill / Associated Press
Toronto Raptors Receive: C André Drummond
Denver Nuggets receive: SG Norman Powell, C Aron Baynes, SF Stanley Johnson, SG Patrick McCaw
The Cleveland Cavaliers receive: SG Gary Harris, 2021 first-round pick (lottery protected, via Denver Nuggets)
Shams Charania of The Athletic reported on Monday that the Cavs and Raptors were engaged in active talks involving Drummond.
Drummond would be a substantial upgrade from Baynes in the starting lineup and could form a formidable central combo with current replacement Chris Boucher. As Toronto moved back to eighth in the East, her 12-15 record was a disappointment as she finished second in the East last year.
The Raptors are 21st in total rebound percentage this season (48.7%), which Drummond could immediately solidify. Toronto would keep its core intact (Kyle Lowry, Fred VanVleet, OG Anunoby, Pascal Siakam) while adding an All-Star talent to Drummond.
Denver isn’t getting the production it needs from Harris, so returning him for four potential spinning pieces while taking away his $ 20.9 million salary for next season is a no-brainer.
Powell is good enough to start immediately for the Nuggets, as the 27-year-old is averaging 16.5 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.1 steals and shooting 43.0 percent against three this season. Baynes would give the Nuggets a defensive center behind Nikola Jokic, and Johnson is a 6’6 “wing who can hold several positions. McCaw has missed the entire season with a knee injury, but is on an expiring 4 million contract. dollars.
Cleveland would lose $ 20.9 million in cap space next season playing Harris, but the 26-year-old could experience a resurgence in a new situation. He’s still a talented wing defender, and the Cavs have been the last in the league in defensive efficiency since the start of February.
The Cavs would secure a first round in the 2021 draft while hoping Harris would become a spinning piece.
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