Cleveland Cavaliers center Andre Drummond is playing the best basketball of his entire career, but where he ends up in the summer still remains to be seen.
The Cavs just acquired center Jarrett Allen in part of that four-team deal that sent James Harden to Brooklyn, and Allen seems like the center of the future for Cleveland.
With that being said, it seems as if Drummond and his big contract are headed elsewhere — especially with his impending free agency this summer. The big man is averaging 19.3 points and currently leading the NBA in rebounds with 15.8 per game while playing every game this season for Cleveland.
Who can benefit the most from adding Drummond?
Here are three teams that can make good use of Andre Drummond this season and going forward.
3. Boston Celtics
The Celtics currently sit atop the Eastern Conference standings, but make no mistake, this team is not perfect.
Boston lost Gordon Hayward in free agency and reportedly could have potentially added Myles Turner in a Hayward sign-and-trade deal, but that didn't come to fruition.
Instead, the Celtics signed Tristan Thompson to bolster the frontcourt. While Thompson is still serviceable, the need for a big-time center is still there, even with depth at the position with guys like Daniel Theis, Robert Williams, Grant Williams, and Tacko Fall on the roster as well.
The Philadelphia 76ers have Joel Embiid, while the Miami Heat have Bam Adebayo — both teams Boston will likely have to face at some point in the playoff run in the East.
The Celtics have a massive trade exception they can use to acquire Andre Drummond and his large expiring contract, plus young players and picks. Brad Stevens' squad adding a player like Drummond would help them in the championship push. A core of Marcus Smart, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Andre Drummond would arguably be the best foursome in the Eastern Conference and would be a tough task to beat for any team.
2. Charlotte Hornets
The Charlotte Hornets spent a load of money on Gordon Hayward, and so far Hayward has proved to be somewhat worth the big contract, although it is still hard to justify $30 million a year for a guy with his injury history.
Nonetheless, the Hornets need a center. Bismack Biyombo is not a starting center for any team in the NBA, and LaMelo Ball is the current rebound leader for this Hornets team.
The Hornets' nucleus of Terry Rozier, Devonte' Graham, Gordan Hayward, and LaMelo Ball is a great one to build around, and adding a star like Drummond in the middle could put this team right in the middle of the Eastern Conference.
Drummond to Charlotte would be beneficial for both sides, and the Hornets have the ability to get a deal done.
1. Toronto Raptors
The Raptors are starting to find their groove with three straight wins after a brutal 2-8 start, and Chris Boucher has played a big role in this resurgence. Still, Toronto could use more help in the frontcourt.
The Raptors lost Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka to Los Angeles — one to each team — and the Aron Baynes signing hasn't worked out as they had hoped. Meanwhile, Alex Len was just released.
While the Raptors could let Andre Drummond walk in the summer to pursue a max-level free agent, they could also re-sign Drummond to a huge deal and fill their center void for years to come.
Adding Drummond to the Raptors would be a win-now move, and something they desperately need just a couple of years after winning an NBA title.
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