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Andre Drummond to Boston? Yes Please

By Michael James

Apr 22, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) looks to pass around Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson (13) during the first quarter in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 22, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) looks to pass around Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson (13) during the first quarter in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /
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Thomas and Drummond caused a twitter storm with their identical tweets. If Drummond played for the Celtics it would make them immediate title contenders.

Twitter around the trade deadline is so great. The amount of speculation and obsessive analysis over player’s accounts makes late February one of the best times of the entire year. The latest frenzy was caused by Isaiah Thomas and Andre Drummond.

https://twitter.com/Isaiah_Thomas/status/833849682656796673

Thomas started everything Monday night when he tweeted an encrypted emoji. The last time he used this tweet was hours before Al Horford announced his commitment to the Celtics back in July. On Tuesday morning, Drummond retweeted Thomas’ emoji post, and then proceeded to tweet the same thing.

https://twitter.com/AndreDrummond/status/834024271676575744

This exchange caused an explosion of speculation regarding the Celtics dealing for the Pistons’ star center. The Pistons were reportedly taking calls to gauge the value of Drummond about a week before the tweeting exchange started. Is it possible that Danny Ainge peaked Detroit’s interest with a trade for Drummond?

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If the Celtics are able to pull off a trade to acquire the 23 year old center, it would catapult them into immediate title contention. Drummond is probably the best rebounder in the NBA, averaging 13.8 rebounds per contest this season. Given the Celtics issues in rebounding this year, Drummond would be an instant fix to Boston’s deficiencies on the boards.

Defensively, Drummond is a strong, mobile big who can protect the paint and get steals at a great rate for his position. Good perimeter defense can make front court players look like better defenders than they are. Take Jared Sullinger for example last season. He was serviceable even though he was an undersized center with slow feet. Adding Drummond would give the Celtics one of the stingiest defenses in the NBA.

Jan 30, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) shoots over Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) during the second half of the Boston Celtics 113-109 win over the Detroit Pistons at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 30, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) shoots over Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) during the second half of the Boston Celtics 113-109 win over the Detroit Pistons at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /

Offense is the reason Detroit might be considering trading Drummond. He can’t shoot particularly well, and most of his points come from lobs and post hooks. Brad Stevens will have to figure out a way to utilize him well on offense, but Detroit doesn’t have a player like Thomas that draws a ton of attention, so Drummond could benefit from increased space and easy baskets.

Against a team like the Cavaliers, Drummond would give the Celtics the edge they need to defeat LeBron James and his collection of one dimensional supporters. If James has to limit his game to the perimeter because Drummond and Horford are patrolling the paint, it would make Cleveland extremely beatable.

Boston has the perimeter defense to contain Kyrie Irving, and keeping Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson off the boards thanks to Drummond’s dominance in that department would arguably make the Celtics favorites over the defending champs.

Next: Trade Rumor: Andrew Bogut is Secondary Option for Boston

Rumors circulate the most during the time close to the trade deadline. We’ll see if the Celtics can reach a deal with the Pistons on Drummond, because he is the kind of player that can change the outlook of Boston’s 2017 season. Drummond is locked up for the foreseeable future, so trading for the big man could be the move Ainge has been waiting for.

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