The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Cavs acquire Drummond from Pistons at deadline
Some may not call it an earthquaker, but the Cavaliers did create a tremor in the NBA on Feb. 6.
The earthquake that would have been felt in the basketball world had Kevin Love or Tristan Thompson been traded did not occur, but the Cavaliers did create a tremor in the NBA on Feb. 6.
The Cavs beat the 3 p.m. trade deadline by sending center John Henson and guard Brandon Knight plus a 2023 second-round draft choice to Detroit for Pistons center Andre Drummond, according to a league source. Drummond might be best known as a big body (6-foot-10, 279 pounds) who struggles at the foul line, but he is much, much more than that. Drummond leads the NBA in rebounding, averaging 15.8 boards a game. He leads the league with 549 defensive rebounds and also leads with 226 offensive rebounds, proving he works the glass at both ends of the court.
The trade caught Drummond off guard, and he was not happy about it, though he is already looking forward to playing for the Cavaliers.
“If there’s one thing I learned about the NBA, there’s no friends or loyalty,” Drummond tweeted. “I’ve given my heart and soul to the Pistons, and to have this happen with no heads up makes me realize even more that this is just a business! I love you Detroit. You will always have a place in my heart.
“But on to the next @cavs hope your ready. Let’s finish the year off the right way.”
The Cavs next play on Feb. 9 when they host the Clippers.
Rumors swirled in the days leading up to the deadline that the Cavaliers were going to trade center Tristan Thompson,
but the deadline passed without Thompson or Kevin Love changing their addresses. Thompson is second in the NBA with 199 offensive rebounds. Outside scoring might suffer if Coach John Beilein ever puts Drummond and Thompson on the floor together — Drummond is 1 of 21 on threepoint tries and Thompson is 3 of 9 — but the Cavaliers would own the offensive glass.
Drummond, 28, is averaging 17.8 points a game. He leads the NBA with 42 double-doubles. He played in 49 of 53 games for the Pistons this season.
Henson, 29, (29 games, five points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists per game) and Knight, 28, (16/4.9/1.3/1.9) are both on expiring contracts. Drummond can be a free agent next summer, or he could exercise his 202021 option and make $28.75 million.
The Cavs could also try to persuade Drummond to sign a long-term contract. Thompson and Matthew Dellavedova are on expiring contracts.
The Cavaliers, 13-39, have the worst record in the NBA East. They are headed toward their second straight lottery pick.
The Pistons, 19-34, are 10th in the East, four games behind eighth place Orlando in the race for the last playoff spot.