How could the Celtics acquire Andre Drummond? Would he fit within the current system to put Boston over the top?
Gather up your lucky coins and rabbit furs, put on that Patriots jersey you were wearing during Super Bowl LI, and hold on to your Sox hats, the Celtics just might be on the verge of their next big blockbuster.
And no, it’s not Jimmy Butler.
Hardwood Houdini’s Michael DePrisco recently reported a series of all too eerie events that link the Boston Celtics to Detroit Pistons big man Andre Drummond. While putting your faith in social media seems about as foolish as firing up a contested transition three, as long as it involves Isaiah Thomas, Celtics fans will allow it.
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So here we go. The worst thing that happens is we smile, throw our heads back, shake it at our fellow fan and wait for the next big play. The best thing that happens? One of the league’s most dominant young big guys comes to Boston.
How Drummond Fits In
Celtics fans have long been grumbling about the rebounding issue that has become a glaring weakness. Drummond has grabbed more rebounds this year than anyone else in the league.
He is second in the league in rebounds per game at 13.8, second in offensive rebound percentage at 14.6, first in defensive rebound percentage at 36.2, first in total rebound percentage at 25.2…alright you get it. Plug him anywhere, even alongside Al Horford and what you get is a lineup that now has an advantage over most teams on the glass.
The second most important aspect he brings is his defense. All you need to know is he has the best defensive rating in the league at 98.0, which is interesting because he doesn’t block as many shots as you might think when you consider his length and athleticism. His block percentage is only 3.2 which is 30th in the league. However Drummond’s defensive awareness is very high and he does a great job of altering shots and beating his man to their spot.
He can also switch off and defend wings, which would certainly be nice if the Celtics found themselves playing a certain small forward from Cleveland in the playoffs.
While his shooting is non-existent, and offensive game is certainly limited, (points I am sure Mr. Ainge will try to emphasize during any kind of trade talk) he can still finish just fine around the rim and can run the floor like few bigs in the league, something that Thomas will certainly appreciate and reward.
Can this Really Happen?
Like actually really happen? It’s a great question. The long answer is complicated and boring, but the short answer isn’t: Yes.
The Celtics have the assets to complete this deal before Dunkin’ Donuts opens tomorrow morning.
However, like any potential blockbuster from the buyers perspective, it comes down to contracts and what a team is willing to give up in exchange for their future, and what the sellers are willing to give up now for their future.
Talk of Butler to Boston has faded because Bulls management doesn’t want to rebuild. (Paul George is more likely but that’s a whole ‘nother article). They can say they want to build around Butler all they want, but they don’t have the assets to rebuild into a contender unless they unload their absolute best players.
This is something that Pistons head coach and president of basketball operations Stan Van Gundy clearly understands much better. The Pistons are currently eighth in the Eastern Conference standings at 27-30. Even a stellar second half won’t make them contenders this year or next year.
They, like the Bulls, are at a time where they can either tear it down or be mediocre for the next five years. As Celtics fans know from not so long ago, such is life in the NBA.
If Drummond to the Celtics feels like a long shot, that’s because it is. At the end of the day, any team is going to have a hard time dealing their best player, especially if he is just 23. But the Pistons know that in the NBA, if you are not rebuilding or competing for a championship, what are you actually doing in this business?
What Would it Take?
Now the hard part. Drummond recently signed a five year $127 million contract that has him locked up through 2021. He is 23 years old, and in the sunrise of the prime of his career. Yes, the Pistons would need the 2017 Brooklyn pick.
Whether or not this trade works depends on what Van Gundy would want in addition to that pick and whether or not the absence of those players hurts the Celtics too much this season. I can’t imagine Ainge would be willing to put Jaylen Brown on that list.
If the Pistons dealt Drummond they would almost certainly trade Reggie Jackson as well, making a need for a starting caliber guard. My guess is Marcus Smart would need to be included in this deal.
An x-factor would almost certainly be Kelly Olynyk, somebody that Brad Stevens loves for his ability to stretch the floor. He is a unique player that the Celtics need off the bench. They don’t have another like him.
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So lets officially go with: Drummond for Smart, Jonas Jerebko, Amir Johnson, 2017 Brooklyn Nets 1st round pick, (maybe one more 1st round pick but definitely not Brooklyn’s 2018. We still need another star to get next year!) So there you have it. Ainge is about to fire up a half-court shot for a young dominant big man.