The Cavaliers have made a splash before the NBA trade deadline by acquiring Pistons big man Andre Drummond, ESPN reports. It ends a lengthy period of speculation over Drummond’s future in Detroit after seven-plus largely underwhelming seasons for the franchise.
The Pistons will receive John Henson, Brandon Knight and a second-round pick as part of the deal.
Drummond, a 2012 first-round pick out of UConn, has been one of the league’s most productive big men since his breakout sophomore year. This season, he’s pace to score a career-high 17.8 points per game while leading the NBA in rebounds per game for the fourth time.
The Cavaliers, who’ve been in rebuilding mode since the departure of LeBron James for the second time, needed a star player to build around given Kevin Love is already 31. In Drummond, 26, Cleveland has a big man that can potentially be paired long-term with young guards Darius Garland and Collin Sexton. His contract expires this summer, but the Cavs will get Bird rights.
For the Pistons, who’re 10th in the East right now, trading Drummond allows them to get assets for a player who no longer fit into their long-term plans. The team has at least one high-upside prospect in 2019 first-round pick Sekou Doumbouya, who’s emerged as a part of the rotation in recent weeks.
This story will be updated.
