Why the New York Knicks should pass on an Andre Drummond trade
The latest rumors indicate the New York Knicks have some interest in All-Star Center Andre Drummond. Detroit has made it known that they are willing to trade their two time all-star center for the right package deal. Drummond brings a terrific presence down low at the center position, but the Knicks shouldn’t be too engaged in acquiring the All-Star center.
The New York Knicks season has not been a walk in the park since the start of the 2019-2020 season. Since the beginning of the season, the Knicks have already gone through a coaching change and are currently have one of the worst records in the NBA.
It’s that time of year again where trade rumors began to surface around the league. With the trade deadline quickly approaching, GM’s and their front office are looking for teams that are buyers and sellers before the February 6th trade deadline.
Andre Drummond is a terrific rebounder with great athleticism and excellent finishing ability around the rim, and there are many reasons why the Knicks should pass on packaging a deal to acquire the two-time all-star.
The asking price
Andre Drummond is a two-time all-star, led the league in rebounds three times in his career, and was selected to an All NBA Third team. With a resume like that, you can understand why the Detriot Pistons are expected to get as much as they can for their big man. It’s already rumored that the Pistons are asking for a first-round pick in return. For the Knicks, their most valuable pieces are their young assets and their draft picks. Neither in which, the Knicks should consider trading. While Drummonds resume leaves no questions about what he is capable of doing on the court, the asking price of a first-round pick is not worth the risk for the Knicks.
Mitchell Robinson
The Knicks have a promising big man in Mitchell Robinson. Robinson may not yet have the accolades that Andren Drummond does, but they both have a similar style of play, and Mitchell Robinson is younger than Drummond. Mitchell Robinson is 21 years old and stands at 7’1 with a 7’4 wingspan. He shows promise as a big man for the Knicks as he continues to develop. Drummond is 26 years old and stands a 6’11. If the Knicks plan on acquiring Drummond, there is no question that they would probably have to package a deal involving Mitchell Robinson. Experience is something that Drummond may have over Robinson, but is it worth the trade if the Knicks aren’t in a win-now situation.
Uncertainty of Drummonds future
Andre Drummond has two years left on his contract but has a player option that he can pick up if he decides at the end of the season. With a player option, Drummond has the right to walk this summer and go to a new team, or he can opt-in, and he would become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2020-2021 season. Drummonds uncertainty could be something that is taken into account when discussing a trade package for him. With his player option, the Knicks would be forced to play a guessing game. If he is unsatisfied with the Knicks’ plan for the future or the fact that he isn’t winning now, he can choose to leave the organization, and the Knicks would be left with nothing in return. This possible outcome can give the Knicks some salary cap space going forward, but depending on what they give up for Drummond, the Knicks could be left with no future big man or pick depending on the package deal they send to Detroit.
Simply don’t need him
The Knicks might currently be at the bottom of the conference and struggling to win games, but they do not need Andre Drummond. The Knicks aren’t a win-now situation for Drummond. If the Knicks aren’t a playoff team now, why would Drummond resign? He’s coming off a Pistons team that has made the playoffs just two times since he was drafted in 2012. So, if the Knicks don’t have a plan going forward, then there is likely a chance Drummond doesn’t commit to returning. The Knicks have young players and draft picks that they can continue to rebuild with. They have a young center in Mitchell Robinson, and his ceiling is high as a player for the Knicks. The Knicks shouldn’t risk a future pick or any of their young assets to acquire Andre Drummond, especially if it is uncertain he will return next season.
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There is still plenty of time for the Knicks to decide if the risk would be worth the reward in an Andre Drummond trade. Rumors will continue to swirl around the league about the future of Andre Drummond, but the Knicks shouldn’t be much involved if they know what’s best for their future and young assets they have now.