Andre Drummond may not be part of the Cavaliers‘ long-term future, but any talk of a buyout is “nonsensical” while the team remains in the playoff race, according to Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com. Several media outlets brought up the possibility last week, with Zach Harper of The Athletic calling it “just a matter of time.” However, the Cavs have little to gain by giving up their starting center, who is averaging a career-best 18.2 PPG this season while leading the league in rebounds at 14.6 RPG.
Drummond has an expiring $28.75MM contract, and the Cavaliers recently acquired 22-year-old Jarrett Allen, who will eventually take his place. While a trade remains a strong possibility before the March 25 deadline, Cleveland may opt to keep Drummond if the team can’t find an acceptable offer and try to get its young players some postseason experience.
“I know we live in the era of the 3-point shot, but at the same time when you go back and study the numbers, teams that dominate the paint on both ends are teams that are the most efficient on both ends,” head coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “Dre gives you the ability to do those things. The ability to secure possessions from a defensive rebounding standpoint, there’s no one better in our league who can do that. That helps your defense immensely.”
There’s more from Cleveland:
- Bickerstaff is encouraged by the level of determination from Darius Garland, who is off to a strong start after a a tough rookie year, Fedor adds in the same story. After a rough road trip last weekend, Garland watched videotape with the assistant coaches to determine why he was committing turnovers. “When you’re facilitating the ball and you’re making everybody better and making everybody feel like they’re a part of it, and then when you’re able to make those daggers, your status grows,” Bickerstaff said. “I think that’s where Darius is headed.“
- Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue was still with the Cavaliers when they drafted Collin Sexton in 2018, and he’s not surprised that the young guard became a star so quickly, Fedor writes in a separate piece. Sexton is averaging 24.3 PPG in his third NBA season and ranks seventh among Eastern Conference guards in the first round of All-Star voting. “From summer league of his first year to when we got to preseason to the six games that I coached, his shot got better and better,” Lue said. “Now he’s really shooting the basketball well from midrange and from 3, so he’s really improved that. Scoring the basketball was his thing when he came out of college and he’s doing it at a high level right now.”
- The Cavaliers have been granted a request to increase the number of fans for home games, Fedor notes in another story. The state of Ohio has approved allowing 2,720 spectators, which is 14% of capacity for Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
Just one part left out in the Drummond Saga. The Cavs do not need him, he is not a part of their long-term plans, they are better with Love/Allen on the floor.
If they do not get a trade offer for him, why wouldn’t they waive him if he requested it, which why wouldn’t he, and why wouldn’t the Cavs be eager to develop their core?
I’m not accusing the Cavs of tanking, or recommending it, but shouldn’t they, even a little for this last season?
I think you’ll have an answer closer to or at the trade deadline. They’re probably hoping to get something and there will be more action then.
True that Drummond’s on/off is lower than that of Allen or Mcgee, also I agree they look better with Allen. But there is the dissonance you mention.
Here’s why not: a) Bickerstaff thinks Drummond’s size helps their playoff chances, which are more marginal than assured; b) Gilbert is not trying to save money; and c) “Young core” reasons are overrated, unless tanking, unthinkable in this case after Not getting invited to the bubble.
Overall I think other teams are foolish waiting for a buyout. For one thing the Cavs may want to move McGee instead and don’t trust Maker or Love to be the backup.
The biggest hurdle to me is being fair with Drummond, and also not giving a championship away to an east contender. Teams dislike that more than conveying high value lottery picks it seems like.
Drummond would have to request it 100%.
Cavs could still kabosh it, but I haven’t seen a team not let an expiring player go in Drummonds situation ever. Maybe a precedent will be set if they think he will sign with Miami or Boston.
He could also seriously be in the Cavs long term plans? I really couldn’t speak to that other than it appears very unlikely, but who knows?
I dont get it either…Imo the Cavs are playoff team….so theyd potentially be filling the hole for their first Rd opponent?
Javale Mcgee has some pretty decent value considering hes a super easy expiring salary match…. why not just trade him keep Drum/Allen for this year and enjoy a playoff series/run
And I also am not suffering from cognitive dissonance @CheapShotter for not believing Cleveland is a lock for the playoffs & only 25 games into an unpredictable season. The Cavs & any other team could be the next Miami, Orlando, Memphis.
Cognitive dissonance is also the opposite of fanboy delusion, so to be funny it helps when the term is actually applied correctly. I didn’t sense you were attempting irony in any way, If I’m wrong on that, please carry on.
I did not say or intend the meaning of “cognitive dissonance”, a phrase from psychology that I dislike and which abuses the word “dissonance”, which is what I did use and does describe the OP… It asks why something is this and not that but is not anxious about it. Yes it’s odd CLE has three centers other teams want, etc.
IMO, cog.dis. means the anxiety one feels from contradiction. But regular dissonance, originally a musical term before getting stolen for other purposes, means a clash with an ideal or expectation that is probably intended in a song or in this case, a post. I used it because it points to an external source alone— the OP. To say “disagreement”, a more regular word, might indicate an argument. That is not the point, though I think CLE should wait for a trade opportunity.
Okay I’m stealing the word too, probably in error, being too complicated for this medium.
No irony intended, nor playoff assumption.
“Delusion” is also different and unused.
Sounds like a misunderstanding.
Love and Drummond are not part of their future. Only team I can see trading for him is Mavs. He probably will get bought out. Then there will be a bidding by contenders. But no one is giving him a max contract. Imo Mavs and Heat can offer most money.
Mavs seem like a natural fit. Loved what Cuban said to Zach Lowe.
That might really make an impact with some players to be? Don’t see it hurting!
I still think the Cavs shouldn’t be in a rush to move him. I’d maybe try one of these two deals tho.
1. Drummond for Otto Porter
2. Drummond for DeMare DeRozan
Both the Bulls and Spurs might not be interested which is fine, if I’m the Cavs I’d be willing to thrown in a second round pick if that helps.
Bulls have Wendell Carter Jr at centre, playing 28 minutes and putting up average numbers. He doesn’t stand out as the teams future centre for the next 5 years he’s just doing his part right now. If they traded for Drummond he would give you more rebounds and points and could be a long term fit with Zach LaVine. Plus Carter Jr would still have minutes as a back up.
The Spurs again might not be that interested but let’s see. If they trade DeRozan it opens up more minutes for the young guards and forwards like Derrick White, Lonnie Walker, Luka Samanic, Devin Vassell. Plus at centre they still aren’t exactly sure what’s happening Aldridge spends a lot of time there. If they traded for Drummond, Aldridge could move back to PF and Johnson back to SF (their two favoured positions) and Poetl would get less minutes which is probably two good things. San Antonio also ranks as a below average rebounding team with their best rebounder Keldon Johnson with 7.3. If you got Drummond you’d do a lot better on the boards.
DeRozans 20-5-6.5 will be missed but Drummond will give you 15-15-2.5 off less shots which means more opportunities for the young guys and more playmaking for Murray and White.
I want the bulls to trade for and sign Drummond badly, Wendell carter is not a starting center on an above average team, Drummond would give the bulls a real rebounder allowing Zach to do his thing and could help control the paint much more than carter, I would be very happy to see Drummond on our squad, I think he adds a dimension to the team they do not have at all, also gafford backing up Drummond would be much better than carter gafford
Yeah I thought it was a good idea. Plus you could probably resign him on a good deal. He probably makes Zach LaVine a little happier and not want a trade as much too.
As for the Cavs it’s not much of a return in Porter but if your trying to win like they are he gives you a good 3 and D guy on an expiring deal. You’d have 4/5 really nice forwards with Love Okoro Prince Porter and then Nance or Osman. Hopefully you can ship Love off but either way Sexton and Garland plus Allen look great plus Okoro has shown glimpses.
Spurs have a man crush on Derozen & Aldridge
Otto Porter is trash
No
If Pistons want to trade Griffin for Porter, Bulls would ask for 2 future Firsts
Porter can be 3 and D player in the future
there’s a rumor he’s going to the nets if bought out…
Nets need a center. But so does Dallas. KP is a waste. 3 rebounds against a 6ft 7 guy
ESPN is on it. They have all their “experts” all in on Drummond being waived, & signing with the Nets.
Zeller,Monk,Bridges and a late pick for Drummond???
If they manage to get a 1st round pick out of Drummonds expiring contract, salary is coming back to Cleveland in that deal. Its just how that goes typically.
With CHA appearing to be “building” logically, with a plan, (Hayward was odd, cross your fingers) giving up both Bridges & a protected pick seems to be a steep asking price for CHA.
In the Playoffs, perimeter D is at a premium. Watching Capella, Gobert, Adams get torched by guards has become an annual event. This is a skill-set not in Drummonds’ tool box. He has mostly been spared of these embarrassments because Detroit has been in the NBA doghouse for some-time, and also playing in the East has hid him in the past.
So, if you are BOS with a good perimeter defender in Theiss, do you pay a lot for Drummond?
I think Teams’ will pick it up & I don’t have CLE or CHA penciled as playoff teams. Everyone loves a cinderella story though…
You worded that so sufisticated lol. But you are spot on. Bigs who aren’t mobile and who can’t shoot become useless in the playoffs… Remember when Draymond completely neutralized Capella…twice in the WCF??? I doubt Boston will go after Drummond. Turner made the most sense and they didn’t pull the trigger on that deal, Vucevic maybe??? I’d ship Kemba for Vucevic in a heartbeat if I’m Boston. Ainge is stubborn though, he still thinks average bigs and score first point guards are going to change life for the celtics….