The Detroit Pistons are in talks about a trade that would send star center Andre Drummond to the Atlanta Hawks, according to multiple persons with knowledge of the situation.
The potential deal would include the Pistons receiving an expiring contract and a protected 2020 first-round pick, said the sources, who spoke to the Free Press on condition of anonymity.
The sources said the deal was not imminent. The Pistons are talking to several teams about Drummond.
ESPN insider Adrian Wojnarowski was the first to report the trade talks.
Drummond has approached this season as a contract year. He has a $28 million player option for next season, which means he could test free agency and be one of the most sought-after big men in the 2020 free-agent cycle.
Drummond is in his eighth season with the Pistons after being drafted with the ninth overall pick in 2012. The two-time All-Star is averaging a career-high 17.6 points and a league-leading 15.8 rebounds per game this season.
The trade talks come a day after Pistons owner Tom Gores told the Free Press he'd be willing to allow young players to play meaningful minutes now, even if it meant missing the playoffs in the short term.
The Pistons entered Friday with a 12-23 record and 12th in the Eastern Conference standings, three and a half games out of the eighth and final playoff spot.
"We probably have to take some chances with some of the young guys, but absolutely," Gores said. "That's what we're aspiring to _ something bigger than what we've been doing, but I haven't lost faith in what (Pistons coach Dwane Casey) is doing and how we're developing the players and our future."
