The Los Angeles Lakers and the Brooklyn Nets are expected to be the top candidates for acquiring center Andre Drummond should he be bought out by the Cleveland Cavaliers, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.
However, the Cavaliers are fighting hard to find a trade partner for Drummond and get an asset in return, such as a second-round pick. Another team in the Andre Drummond sweepstakes is the New York Knicks. They may offer a multi-year deal as a free agent via a buyout.
Other teams are doubtful that a trade will take place, where Cleveland comes away with the aforementioned asset.
Drummond is one of those players who is balling in the wrong era of basketball. If he played in the 1990s or early 2000s, his team would not let him hit free agency let alone be included in trade talks. He is a traditional, paint-bound big man. He scores inside, protects the rim, and gobbles up boards. Drummond led the league in rebounding four times. Surprisingly, he also gets a lot of steals, despite his size.
The Lakers can benefit from adding Andre Drummond as Anthony Davis' health is very concerning. Marc Gasol has lost a step or two and Montrezl Harrell could not be relied on in the defensive end.
Brooklyn has a hole in the middle. Players dependent on athleticism such as DeAndre Jordan usually do not age well, Nic Claxton is promising, but still too raw, and Blake Griffin cannot be counted on to play the five for extended periods.
New York might want more production offensively from the center position, as Mitchell Robinson and Nerlens Noel are limited in that department. It will be interesting to see who actually lands Drummond, but currently, it seems as LA or Brooklyn could be his next destination.
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