Boston Celtics: pros and cons of trading for Andre Drummond

Pros

The pros of adding such a unique talent like Drummond are evident; there are almost no players alive with the kind of truly dominant traits the big man possesses. Joel Embiid is of similar stature, but he doesn’t gobble up boards like Drummond. Simply put, the 2012 lottery pick is the most athletic giant in the entire league.

Drummond is more of the mold of a Tyson Chandler or DeAndre Jordan as a pick-and-roll finisher. The difference between him and those two is how sneakily athletic the six-foot-ten, 280 pound behemoth. Look no further than this breakaway slam in transition:

Kemba Walker has thrived alongside a player like Drummond. In 2017-18, he helped Dwight Howard have somewhat of a career renaissance in Charlotte. Drummond is a much superior option at this point in this career, being 26 years old and smack dab in the middle of his prime.

Acquiring the Pistons big man would give the Boston Celtics a player that they have never had at their disposal–dating back to the era of the true center. During the days of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo, the team relied on perimeter shooting and trap-heavy defensive schemes. Drummond is the kind of rim-protector (two blocks per game) and glass eater that can allow perimeter defenders to take more risks.

With athletes like Marcus Smart and Jaylen Brown ball-hawking on the perimeter, having that missing piece in the middle can potentially open up a different element of the defense.