Knicks have nothing to lose by trading for Andre Drummond

Last winter, the Knicks brass discussed internally negotiating for Detroit center Andre Drummond, who had a opt-out clause to become a free agent.

The Knicks weren’t too worried about keeping Drummond if he retired. The Mount Vernon native, the Knicks believed, would likely want to re-sign with his hometown team.

In fact, then Knicks president Steve Mills is close to Drummond’s family.

Eventually the Knicks decided against it, vowed to rebuild and center Mitchell Robinson. On February 6, Drummond was distributed to the Cavaliers. He exercised his option of $ 28.7 million for 2020-21 due to the agency’s pandemic-free reduction and remained in Cleveland.

Proceed a year later and the Cavaliers are also attempting to trade the former UConn star for hire. They benched the All-Star double this week until they committed to a deal.

The Raptors, the sources confirm, are in the offer. But it is not an easy financial trade with the high salaries of Drummond.

As Robinson leaves the hospital for special surgery after the operation on his shooting hand, until mid-to-late March the Knicks should take a look at Drummond – not just as a rental but a buildable piece with power forward Julius Randle. .

Some in the Knicks organization aren’t sure Randle and Drummond would make the right choice. Some in the league feel Robinson is a better long-term play to build, despite his lack of offensive progression.

Will Robinson continue to evolve his game to become more than just a shotgunner / rebounder / lane master? The Knicks have a squad option for Robinson for next season at $ 1.8 million, so they can find out on the cheap.

The Knicks still have $ 15 million in cap space to mathematically facilitate a Drummond trade. They have accumulated enough interim capital so that some can be saved. There are also two youngsters out of the rotation that the Cavaliers might want – Kevin Knox or Frank Ntilikina.

If Drummond is cheap, what do the Knicks have to lose if they find he and Randle don’t mix?

Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau has brought out every ounce of talent on this team. They were on the verge of .500 in Orlando on Wednesday before their putrid 33 point second period.

In truth, the Knicks have passed at 14-16, healthier than most clubs this season.

Robinson was the first significant casualty and his absence ultimately hurt them in Orlando. No easy trash for offensive rebounds, lane slams, blocked shots that spin momentum or key defensive rebounds. The new starter Nerlens Noel is a Robinson Crusoe and does everything a little less efficiently.

Remember, Robinson is not a sure thing as a full-fledged starter of a legitimate playoff team. The pick of lottery rookies, and power forward Obi Toppin, is not a sure thing as a future starter, snatched, as one scout put it, from “a historically bad draw.

Robinson was often injured because of his reckless – and wonderful – way of playing and fighting. He flies around the field, blocking shots on the 3-point line. He broke his hand in a blocking attempt as he collided with Randle’s elbow while descending in Washington on Friday.

Robinson is an old school center, much like Wrecking Ball Drummond, although Drummond’s play is developing at age 27. Robinson’s offensive repertoire has not grown.

Drummond has been a double-double machine for a few years, but now he shoots better free throws (59.7%). Scouts say he’s one of the few centers that can grab a rebound and push the ball up. He has talents as a passer and he has become a good passer.

Drummond’s big numbers have always looked bigger than the overall picture, but he averages 17.5 points, 13.5 rebounds and 2.6 assists. He’s also been very durable throughout his nine-year career.

Sources say the Knicks are “sitting down for now” regarding the situation in the middle. They want to see center tandem Noel-Taj Gibson play as they battle for a playoff spot.

Before beating the Knicks, Orlando coach Steve Clifford paid tribute to them, saying, “They would be some of the teams people don’t want to play against. I don’t think there is a bigger compliment in this league than being tough to play.

At some point, Leon Rose needs to improve his skill level. Orlando routed the Knicks without their top player, Aaron Gordon, rotation manager James Ennis and starting point goalie Markelle Fultz.

Even Jeff Van Gundy recently said the Knicks “don’t have enough offensive talent.” Meanwhile, the 2021 free agent class the Knicks were watching after a quiet signing spell in November has dried up.

Thibodeau wants to win this season – and in the future. The Mount Vernon kid can help the Knicks do both.