The NBA trade deadline is coming up on March 25 and Cleveland Cavaliers all-star center Andre Drummond is one of the latest stars around the league who may be on the move.
It was reported around the league on Monday that the Cavaliers would be sitting Drummond until a trade opportunity emerged.
The 27-year-old is on the last year of his contract before being an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
Currently, he’s averaging 17.5 points and 13.5 rebounds per game this season and would make the perfect piece for a team chasing a championship.
What Team will Andre Drummond be Traded to?
Odds according to BetOnline as of Tuesday, February 16
- Toronto Raptors +225
- Dallas Mavericks +350
- Boston Celtics+450
- Charlotte Hornets +600
- New York Knicks +600
- Brooklyn Nets +700
- Golden State Warriors +800
- Portland Trail Blazers+800
- Los Angeles Clippers +1200
- Los Angeles Lakers+1200
Here is a closer look at some of the teams that may land Drummond.
Raps Clear Favorites to Land Andre Drummond
The Toronto Raptors have been rumored to be in on Drummond for quite some time and it makes sense. After Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka left the Raptors during the offseason, one of their biggest weaknesses has been at center.
Aron Baynes hasn’t been great and although Chris Boucher has been one of the best bench players in the league, he’s not the player that Drummond is.
Yes, the Raptors would have to come close to matching Drummond’s salary to make things work, but the potential and need are there for a blockbuster trade.
Mavs need to get Luka some Help
After starting off the 2020-21 season slowly, the Dallas Mavericks are now two games back from the eighth playoff spot in the West. If the Mavericks acquired Drummond, they could be a real threat in the playoffs.
Acquiring Drummond would mean that the Mavericks would be able to have at least him or Kristaps Porzingis on the court at all times. They likely wouldn’t play together because neither man can really guard the perimeter. However, not many teams would be equipped to handle having one of the two on the floor at all times throughout the game.
Celtics will Likely Trade for a Big Man
The Boston Celtics were expected to be one of the top teams in the East at the start of the season.
Instead they’re 13-13 and in fifth place. While they’re mainly looking to add shooters towards the NBA Trade Deadline, that’s something that Drummond isn’t.
Drummond, as the basketball world knows, is not a shooter. He’s shot .135 from beyond the three-point line on just 111 career attempts.
However, Drummond may be worth a look for Boston for his rebounding alone.
Daniel Theis and Robert Williams III have been playing most of the center minutes for the Celtics, but they haven’t been great at rebounding this season. In fact, they have fewer rebounds per game combined (10.4) than Drummond has on his own (13.5).
Hornets/Knicks with Identical Odds to Land Drummond
Not many predicted that both the Charlotte Hornets and New York Knicks would be in playoff contention at this point in the season.
Yet here we are and the Hornets and Knicks are holding down playoff spots (8th and 6th respectively). Both teams seem like they’ve been rebuilding forever, so it’ll be interesting to see how they play things at the deadline.
The Hornets have surprised the world, mainly thanks to rookie LaMelo Ball, however, they could use help in the paint. They’re already averaging 52.8 rebounds per game (12th), but Drummond would be a massive improvement over their current starting centers (Cody Zeller and Bismack Biyombo).
On the other hand, the Knicks are the fifth-best rebounding team int he league (54.6). If they opt to bring in Drummond, opposing teams may never outbound them again. Maybe that’s a stretch, but the Knicks proved they were serious about the playoffs when they acquired former-MVP Derrick Rose last week.
They may reinforce their point by going for Drummond.
