LOS ANGELES – Cleveland Cavaliers’ home center Andre Drummond, a hot topic in talks recently, will not play in Sunday night’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers. Drummond was discarded for rest.
Even though Drummond is at the center of the rumors – and the purchase – several sources in the league tell cleveland.com that “nothing is imminent” on that front.
The deadline for negotiation is March 25 and it seems unlikely that Drummond will still be in Cleveland after that date. An Athletic report the other day said that Cavs is “open for business” – a logical approach given Jarrett Allen’s arrival in January and with Drummond and JaVale McGee on expired contracts.
Drummond would have attracted interest from Brooklyn Nets and Toronto Raptors, among other teams that continue to monitor the situation. Sources say the Cavs have received offers for each of their centers, but only Drummond and McGee are considered “available”.
Drummond recorded 17 frustrating minutes in Cleveland’s 129-110 defeat to the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday night, often looking uncommitted and uninvolved in the team’s encounters. After scoring eight points and catching five rebounds, Cavs coach JB Bickerstaff mentioned the possibility of a role change for Drummond if he fails to regain his pace and once again become the dominant inner force that was instrumental in the surprising start of the team.
“Everything is on the table, all the time,” said Bickerstaff after the defeat. “Our focus again is to try to make him the best version of himself that he can be. We always have to face difficult and difficult decisions. We are not afraid of these decisions, but our first goal is to make him the best version of himself. “
With Drummond eliminated on Sunday, Allen will slip into the starting position. Cavs will take a look at the group of five players – Darius Garland, Collin Sexton, Isaac Okoro, Taurean Prince and Allen – that led to their only win in the last seven games.
In six February games, Drummond averaged 14.3 points and 8.3 rebounds. He missed the first game this month, a two-point win against Minnesota, due to pain in his lower back.
Sunday begins a three-game stretch over four nights for the Cavs. They will play their second game in a row on Monday night against the Golden State Warriors – the last stop on this tough five-game trip. The Cavs have lost eight of their last nine games and are 10-17 in the season.
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