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Several notable teams would be in the thick of the Andre Drummond draw, but the Toronto Raptors arguably need the Cavs big man most.
Put simply, the Raptors are in dire need of help bolstering their interior, and the 6-foot-10-inch double-double machine ticks all the boxes they’re missing right now.
Raptors fans know that before being forced out by the Cleveland Cavaliers until they find a suitable business partner, Andre Drummond had a solid 17.5 points, 13.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.2 blocks in 25 games.
Things haven’t gone well for the Raptors since they lost Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol in the offseason to the Clippers and Lakers, respectively. This raises the need for André Drummond. Toronto’s experience with Alex Len has certainly not worked out, while Aron Baynes starting in 5th has had mixed results so far.
Head coach Nick Nurse has been content with a small line-up for the time being as the Raptors currently sit seventh seed in the East with a 13-15 record.
The East has changed this season, and it looks like roster changes are in order for the Raptors if they intend to call. Getting a two-time All-Star like André Drummond will be a good start.
While a buyout will be the ideal scenario for the Raptors to get the 27-year-old Slot Man, it’s likely the Cavs would want to get assets in return.
The tricky part for the Raptors would be to match Drummond’s remaining $ 28 million on his contract before entering free agency next season.
Looking back, the easiest offer the Raptors can make is a direct Drummond for Kyle Lowry trade.
This makes sense in terms of salary, as Lowry is also on an expiring contract and the Raptors are said to be open to their separation from the franchise star as well.
The Cavs, meanwhile, can afford to absorb Lowry’s $ 30 million contract with the Raptors and have significant leeway next season when he hits the market.
But Cleveland is unlikely to take another playmaker given they have put all their chips on their promising backcourt of Collin Sexton and Darius Garland.
The Raptors will have to separate from several players in order to land Drummond.
The Deal: Raptors send Aron Baynes, Norman Powell, Terence Davis and Patrick McCaw to Cavaliers for Andre Drummond
While the Cavs would likely also want future draft picks for Drummond’s services as well, this four-player transport isn’t actually a bad comeback for them from the Raptors.
Baynes gives them a decent save center for Jarett Allen, while Powell is a two-way Raptors asset who could strengthen their wings. Davis and McCaw are fillers to match wages, but they can also give valuable minutes to a Cavs team that needs capable bodies.
The Raptors, meanwhile, will be taking some risk here as they will lose key players on the rotation for a player who could turn out to be a very expensive hire.
Before the Raptors front office pulls the trigger for such a deal, they need to at least get verbal confirmation that Drummond would re-sign with the team after the season.
Toronto can still fill its roster of players with personalities from its G-League affiliate, while there are still good veterans in the market that they could sign for a low price.
If the Raptors insist on removing Drummond from a buyout scenario instead of a trade, there’s a chance other teams like the Mavericks, Clippers and Nets could snatch him away.
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