The Detroit Pistons have been forced to lower their asking price as they try to move center Andre Drummond before the Feb. 6 trade deadline. With only seven days left, the Pistons are looking for a return of expiring contracts and a young prospect or draft asset, according to Stefan Bondy of The New York Daily News.
The Pistons showed too much of their hand early on in negotiations and have been short of interest from teams. They were hellbent in getting a first-round draft pick in any package for Drummond, but teams have not been enticed to make a deal work, given how the franchises in play have the necessary salary cap room to make Drummond a substantial offer in the summer.
Drummond is averaging 17.3 points and a league-best 15.6 rebounds, but he fully intends to decline his $29 million player option in the summer — something that has given teams no reason to give up assets in exchange for the dominant center.
The 6-foot-10 center is putting up a mirror of last season with his numbers, though a slight progression in his intangibles could be due to the absence of Blake Griffin, which has made him much more active in all facets of the game — hence his career-high 3.6 turnovers per game.
The New York Knicks were curious about bringing the Mt. Vernon native home in a trade but also fell shy of making a deal work. Both sides could re-engage before the window closes on Feb. 6, but the Pistons' price must drop first.
New York isn't willing to part ways with veteran Marcus Morris but would be willing to deal Dennis Smith Jr. and Bobby Portis in a trade, two less-valuable assets with expiring contracts.
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