Boston Celtics: pros and cons of trading for Andre Drummond
Cons
The cons of acquiring Drummond start with what the Boston Celtics would need to give up to acquire him. Because of his $22 million salary figure, the C’s would need to sacrifice one of the larger contracts on Boston’s books.
Those contracts are owned by the likes of Jaylen Brown, Gordon Hayward and Marcus Smart. Brown would be a good one-for-one match because of his salary cap figure being the average of his rookie scale contract and his extension next season. Given his meteoric rise this season, that should not even be on Danny Ainge‘s radar.
Given his reluctance to give up Brown and Tatum for Anthony Davis, there is almost a slim-to-none chance this happens. Hayward is more conceivable, but why would the Pistons want a player who doesn’t fit any rebuilding plans, and who could similarly leave the team this summer with an opt-out clause.
Smart’s deal would have to be combined with at least Enes Kanter‘s or Daniel Theis‘ (or both) in addition to more assets. That sort of deal would sap the Celtics of their depth, and leave them vulnerable if any injuries occurred to their starting lineup.
With Drummond due for a raise this off-season–one that would likely push Boston towards the luxury tax–it’s hard to justify giving up on the team’s current makeup amid a season where they hold the third best record.
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I am still a proponent of an upgrade at the center spot. But I’m gonna go with my co-editor Mark Nilon on this one: the Boston Celtics should refrain from acquiring Drummond this year.