The Cleveland Cavaliers have acquired center Andre Drummond from the Detroit Pistons for Brandon Knight, John Henson and a second-round pick.
This is a trade that seems like it came out of nowhere. The Cleveland Cavaliers have acquired Andre Drummond from the Detroit Pistons.
The Cavs are sending Brandon Knight, John Henson, and second-round pick in 2023. Knight will be returning to the team that initially drafted him.
Drummond is averaging 17.8 points and 11.2 rebounds per game this season. Not a space the floor type player, fits more of the traditional big man type profile.
Andre Drummond has a player-option for next season, so it is very likely he opts out and moves on after the season is over. The Cavs are in a long rebuild and it is doubtful he wants to remain a part of that. That is unless he gets the feeling the free agent market may not be kind to him. If that is the case, things may shake out differently.
This trade could also be the precursor to some other trades. Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson come to mind. Thompson has said he wants out previously, but reports say that a trade may not happen.
If Cleveland is not able to work a trade that includes Love or Thompson they will have quite the logjam with the big men on their roster. That’s not necessarily the best combination when two of them are not space the floor types and the other can be a defensive liability at times.
UPDATE
The expectation is that the Cleveland Cavaliers will buyout Tristan Thompson from his contract.
This removes one big man from their question and will provide some clarity on how the roster fits moving forward.
