With Kemba Walker, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Gordon Hayward leading the way, the Boston Celtics experienced some sort of revival in the 2019-20 season.
Far from the dysfunctional and messy 2018-19 campaign, the Celtics were actually legitimate title contenders before the season was suspended due to COVID-19. Unfortunately, with the future of the NBA still unknown, it's possible the Beantown team might have just lost a big chance to contend for the title.
If the season ends up getting canceled, Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge will be faced with the difficult task of improving the roster, while also trying to keep the team's chemistry intact.
Ainge struck gold with the Kemba trade, as Walker proved to be the perfect leader for the young Celtics. Now, it remains to be seen if Ainge can replicate that magic in the 2020 offseason.
There is one All-Star Ainge and the Celtics can acquire to take the team to new heights, though, and the upcoming offseason could be the perfect opportunity for Boston to get this player.
Cleveland Cavaliers center Andre Drummond is a player the Celtics have coveted in the past. The Detroit Pistons opted to trade Drummond to the Cavs at the February trade deadline. The two-time All-Star has a player option for the 2020-21 season worth $28.8 million and he is expected to pick that option up.
However, there have already been rumors that the Cavs could trade the UConn product in the offseason.
With that being said, the Celtics should acquire the rebounding machine from Cleveland. If Boston had a starting lineup of Walker, Tatum, Brown, Hayward, and Drummond with Marcus Smart, Enes Kanter, Daniel Theis, Tacko Fall, and Carsen Edwards coming off the bench, they would arguably be the front runner to win the East.
Drummond is the rim-roller and rebounding stud the Celtics need. The New York native averaged 17.7 points and 15.2 rebounds with the Pistons and Cavs this season. He's a three-time rebounding champion and the perfect big man for Walker to play with.
The driving lanes Drummond would create with his picks alone would be enough for Kemba to get all the way to the cup. At 6-foot 10 and 280 pounds, you are not going to find a lot of stronger guys in the NBA than Drummond.
As a result, opposing guards usually get pinned on Drummond's screen, allowing his teammate to operate with more space.
Drummond runs the floor very well for a big man. Walker and Andre figure to dominate in the pick-and-roll game. All you have to do is throw the alley-oop to Drummond on the roll and he'll get it for you. His timing and touch around the basket are impeccable.
The ninth overall pick in the 2012 draft, Andre Drummond has career averages of 14.5 points and 13.8 rebounds. He has dominated the Celtics for years, as Drummond has career numbers of 17.0 points and 14.8 rebounds against Boston.
Ainge should put an end to Drummond thumping the Celtics by acquiring him this offseason.
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