Andre Drummond, who is likely to turn down his $28.8MM player option for next season, is set to be one of the top free agents in a weak 2020 free agent class. He’ll undoubtedly look for a massive contract, if not a max deal, this summer and he hopes it comes from the Pistons.
“At the end of the day, I can’t control what the front office wants to do in terms of the contract stuff. The only thing I can control right now is playing the game the right way and putting my team in a good position to win. Whatever happens after that happens,” Drummond told Rod Beard of The Detroit News. “Obviously, I would enjoy playing for the rest of my career in Detroit. Whatever happens at the end of the year happens and we’ll figure it out when that time comes.”
Drummond is averaging an insane 18.6 rebounds per contest so far this year, though as Beard writes, the perception of him as a stat-filler who can’t win is slowly shifting around the league. The center believes his game now is a culmination of seven years of work and maturity that allows him to be a leader on the team.
“It’s a sense of urgency. I’ve had a lot of years in the league, and I know what it takes to win and to lead a team. Overall, it’s just me maturing as a player,” Drummond said. “Everybody is saying it’s ‘[contract-year] Dre’ and I wouldn’t even call it that.
“It’s a maturity aspect and how I carry myself on and off the court. With that, it shows the work I’ve put in over the past seven years and being here and seeing the ins and outs. Now is the time in my career where I can lead a team and I know how to do it the right way.”
Give this man whatever he wants. Detroit is lucky to have him
Exactly. Pay the guy, period.
You guys couldn’t be more right! Dre’ so far is been a monster this year, his numbers are out of this world. Pay the guy, he deserves it. Up until now he is been the 2nd best player of this season, only behind Giannis!
As always your take is spot on! Drummond and his 21 points a game have been amazing!
He is playing way better than the 21 guys who are averaging more points than he is!
I mean, when Blake Griffin comes back these guys are going to be amazing! Way better than average!!! DRUMMOND FOR MVP!!!
If you had ever watch a game you would know that there is more than points, otherwise Harden would be the best player in decades, right? Are you really this dense? SMH!
Hopefully he accepts something like Horfords deal. 4 year $100 million with incentives. Love him but still have a lot of holes to fill on this team.
For $28.8m he could probably buy Detroit
He wants to win and lead with a “sense of urgency”, but he also wants to play in Detroit for the rest of his career.
Something doesn’t add up, LOL.
But seriously, this roster probably can’t contend and needs to be reset. Detroit should work a sign and trade for Drummond this summer, and hold off on any deals until then. With Steven Adams potentially available, Drummond can’t set the market.