Boston Celtics: “Pass or Pursue” on 3 recently rumored targets
By Mark Nilon
Rumored Boston Celtics target No. 1) Andre Drummond
First up on the “Pass or Pursue” slate we see one of the most recent players linked to the Boston Celtics in Andre Drummond.
Dealt from the Detroit Pistons to the Cleveland Cavaliers at the 2020 NBA trade deadline for what appears to be the value of a stale cookie and a half-eaten bag of Dorritos (Brandon Knight, John Henson, and a 2023 second-round pick) the former All-Star finds himself rumored to be on the block once more, as reports of conflict in regard to contract extension talks have begun to surface.
Because of this, numerous media-publications have jumped on the hypothetical-trade train to discuss which franchises may want to pursue the 27-year-old center. Sure enough, as is expected from being one of the league’s most storied franchises, the shamrocks were tabbed as a potential suitor.
As explained by my co-editor Andrew Hughes, the pairing of the two parties could ultimately make sense:
"It makes sense for the Celtics to inquire about one of the league’s premier big bodies in Drummond. Bam Adebayo and the physical Miami Heat defense was the biggest hurdle in Boston’s quest for championship #18. Adding a specimen like Drummond makes sense…in theory."
Despite the fact that he possesses no ability to space the floor — an attribute highly coveted in today’s NBA — he’s a big bruiser of a five that could serve as a dominating force down low to thwart off an opposing defense from attacking the rim and can battle with the best of them on the boards.
In 2019-20, Drummond put up impressive averages of 17.7 points, 15.2 rebounds, and a career-high 1.9 blocks a game on 53 percent shooting from the floor.
Should the Boston Celtics be able to acquire the remaining year of his contract in a clean swap with Gordon Hayward and maybe a second-rounder or two, the idea of bringing on the 6-10 behemoth might be something the team’s front office should consider.
If not, they might just be better off drafting a young big man and developing the ones they already have (**cough, Time Lord, **cough).