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Tony Dejak / Associated Press
Andre Drummond appears to have played his last game for the Cleveland Cavaliers. The two “decided each other” that he will sit down until the Cavs can find a business partner, according to Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com.
After a strong start to the season, Drummond’s future in Cleveland almost came to an end when the Cavaliers replaced 22-year-old Jarrett Allen in mid-January.
“It wasn’t easy for him to get through this,” a source close to Drummond told Fedor. “He is disappointed because he did not want to move on.”
Drummond was a key player to fuel the Cavaliers’ strong start to the season, averaging 19.3 points, 15.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.6 blocks in 32.2 minutes per game before Allen made his debut. . Since Allen joined the team, the Cavs are only 5 to 11, including seven straight losses (six for 17 points or more). Drummond’s production has also suffered a blow since Allen’s debut, dropping to 15.8 points, 11.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 0.8 blocks in 25.8 minutes per game
The Cavs did not speak to Drummond about a purchase, according to bad smell. Both sides are working to “find the best business partner. “
Although Drummond is twice an All-Star and four times a rebound champion, Cavaliers shouldn’t expect much from him. They acquired it for a couple of expired contracts and a 2023 second-round choice last year, and it will be difficult for other teams to earn enough wages to match their $ 28.8 million expired contract.
Drummond can still be an important piece for a champion team if he is willing to sacrifice his own pitches, be a willing passer and focus on his defense and glass cleaning skills. The following five teams would be particularly attractive landing points.
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Nell Redmond / Associated Press
Charlotte Hornets Receives: C Andre Drummond
Cleveland Cavaliers Receives: SG Malik Monk, C Cody Zeller, C Bismack Biyombo
The Charlotte Hornets have been one of the league’s most pleasant surprises this season, and adding a traveling double-double in the center would make them close to a tiebreaker.
Although Zeller and Biyombo have done admirable work for the Hornets, they will both be free agents in this off-season and have not done enough to secure a new long-term deal. Drummond would give Charlotte a higher ceiling and should be a good option alongside striker PJ Washington in sophomore year.
Monk has started to find his rhythm in recent weeks, but he is still the team’s fourth guard. The Hornets may not want to give you a new deal this off-season, as they already have $ 17.9 million dedicated to Terry Rozier next season, and Devonte ‘Graham is becoming a free agent as well.
Cleveland could keep one of Zeller or Biyombo as a backup for Jarrett Allen or negotiate acquisitions with both. Monk has been playing the best basketball of his career lately (14.7 points while shooting 50.9 percent in three in the last nine games), and he can grow and become part of the Cavaliers’ forward rotation.
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Brandon Wade / Associated Press
Dallas Mavericks Receive: C Andre Drummond
Cleveland Cavaliers Receives: C Dwight Powell, PF James Johnson, choices for the second round of 2021 and 2022
The Dallas Mavericks could look at Drummond as a play now won and a way to make room for wage ceilings for the off-season of 2021.
Dallas ranks 27th in total rebound percentage this season (48.0 percent), as it chose the quantity approach over quality when it comes to filling the center position. Since Kristaps Porzingis joined the team in mid-January, the Mavs have been even worse (29th overall, 47.5 percent).
Drummond could impose his will on the plates and provide Luka Doncic with a reliable lob target. He also fits alongside Porzingis, whose offensive game is more perimeter-based.
Breaking Powell’s contract would also be important.
The 29-year-old has two years and $ 22.2 million remaining in his contract after this season and did not look the same when returning from an Achilles tendon injury. Dallas would release $ 11.1 million in cap space next season with this deal, which he could spend on Victor Oladipo, Mike Conley, Kyle Lowry or use to re-sign Drummond if the partnership works.
For Cleveland, Johnson would be a likely candidate for the acquisition, while Powell would become the backup for Jarrett Allen. While the Cavs would lose some space at the limit next year, they would collect a couple of second-round choices.
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Tony Dejak / Associated Press
New York Knicks receive: C Andre Drummond, choice of the second round of 2021 (via Dallas Mavericks)
Dallas Mavericks Receive: SG Alec Burks, G Frank Ntilikina, G / F Reggie Bullock
Cleveland Cavaliers Receives: F Kevin Knox II, PF James Johnson, 2024 runoff choice (via Dallas Mavericks)
To keep pace in the East, the Knicks probably need another big man, now that Mitchell Robinson must fail the next 4-6 weeks after surgery to repair a fractured right hand. They are clearly looking for the playoffs, despite having a mostly young cast, as evidenced by their recent exchange for Derrick Rose.
In this business, the Knicks would make Drummond slip as his starting center and receive a choice in the second round. They are catching 53.6% of all rebounds with Robinson on the court this season, compared to just 48.3% when he is seated. The Knicks are eighth in rebound percentage this season (51.5%), so Drummond could help them stay afloat without Robinson, but they wouldn’t have to commit to him beyond this year.
Dallas desperately needs a shot (35.0 percent of three in a team, 25th overall), which Burks (42.5 percent) and Bullock (38.5 percent) could help solve. Although Ntilikina’s playing time was cut short by the abundance of guards in New York, the 22-year-old could at least serve as a defensive specialist alongside Luka Doncic on the Mavericks’ backcourt.
Cleveland would probably buy Johnson or try to immediately redirect him, as he is in a $ 16 million deal that is expiring. Getting Knox is the priority. The 21-year-old has improved as a three-point shooter – he is reaching his career record of 38.5% of his attempts this year – but he has failed to maintain a regular role in the Knicks’ rotation.
The Cavs would bet on Knox’s advantage while receiving a second from Dallas.
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Darren Abate / Associated Press
San Antonio Spurs receive: C Andre Drummond
Cleveland Cavaliers Receives: PF / C LaMarcus Aldridge, choice of 2021 runoff
Although Spurs don’t normally do business in the middle of the season, it would be worth breaking the tradition of exchanging a 35-year-old Aldridge for a 27-year-old Drummond.
Aldridge is currently off the pitch due to a hip injury and has taken a big step back this season, averaging 4.3 rebounds per game, the lowest number in his career. Drummond would serve as a center of gravity for the Spurs’ young guards and wards, providing extra shooting opportunities while giving them a lob-catcher on the edge.
Aldridge, 35, makes no sense as a long-term article in Cleveland. Cavs would probably try to turn you into a competitor or eventually agree to a purchase. But Cleveland would save a prorated salary of $ 4.8 million, while choosing a second option in this year’s draft.
If the Cavs were able to exchange Aldridge for something else, that would be an added bonus. Otherwise, Cleveland would still maintain its 2021 ceiling.
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Brandon Dill / Associated Press
Toronto Raptors Receives: C Andre Drummond
Denver Nuggets Receives: SG Norman Powell, C Aron Baynes, SF Stanley Johnson, SG Patrick McCaw
Cleveland Cavaliers Receives: SG Gary Harris, choice of the first round of 2021 (protected by lottery, via Denver Nuggets)
The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported on Monday that the Cavs and Raptors are involved in active negotiations involving Drummond.
Drummond would be a substantial upgrade over Baynes in the starting lineup and could form an excellent central match with the current reserve Chris Boucher. Although Toronto returned to eighth place in the East, its 12-15 record was a disappointment, considering it finished second in the East last year.
The Raptors are at 21st in the total rebound percentage this season (48.7 percent), which Drummond can solidify immediately. Toronto would keep its core intact (Kyle Lowry, Fred VanVleet, OG Anunoby, Pascal Siakam) while adding an All-Star talent to Drummond.
Denver isn’t getting the production it needs from Harris, so swapping it for four potential rotating parts while getting rid of its $ 20.9 million salary for next season is a no-brainer.
Powell is good enough to start with the Nuggets right away, as the 27-year-old has an average of 16.5 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.1 steals and 43.0 percent throws in three this season . Baynes would give the Nuggets a defensive center behind Nikola Jokic, and Johnson is a 6’6 “winger who can protect several positions. McCaw lost the entire season to a knee injury, but is in a $ 4 million contract.
Cleveland would lose $ 20.9 million at the cap next season when facing Harris, but the 26-year-old may resurface in a new situation. He is still a talented full-back, and Cavs has been in the last position in the league in defensive efficiency since the beginning of February.
The Cavs would have a first round in the 2021 draft while waiting for Harris to become a rotation piece.