NBA News: Andre Drummond Clarifies Offseason Comments, Blasts Misinterpretation

KEY POINTS

Andre Drummond cries foul after being misconstrued for his comments
Drummond is open to staying in Brooklyn if the Nets still want him around
Drummond's tenure will depend on how far Brooklyn can go in the playoffs

Andre Drummond knows that he could end up having to find a new team after the 2021-22 season, but there remains a chance he could still stay with the Brooklyn Nets.

That would entirely depend on his performance with the Nets and how valuable he would be for head coach Steve Nash.

But the thing is that Drummond is technically battling another younger player at the slot who goes by the name of Nic Claxton.

The two-time All-Star was asked about Claxton last week when the Nets were in Memphis and were misinterpreted.

It should also be noted that at the time, the 28-year-old thought he was on the trading block.

“And if we’re all being honest, I’m only here till the rest of the season,” Drummond was quoted saying back then.

However, that was only part of what Drummond said and there were important parts of the conversation left out.

“I think that we need [Claxton]. We need him. I think he’s very, very beneficial for this team,” Drummond said. “He’s young still. A guy that can come in and help, can start, come off the bench. He can do a little bit of everything. With a guy like that’s so versatile, why would you trade somebody like that?”

Drummond then pushed back on the narrative that his comments made it appear that he’s got one foot out the door in Brooklyn.

“Use the whole quote. Don’t use the first half. That’s not right because that’s unfair to me and the staff here, because I never used those words in that context, and you all know that. I said I respect Nic as a player, and I think it’s dumb for them to trade him because he still has two years left on his contract and we’re all aware of me being on a one-year. That’s evident. We know that,” Drummond stressed in a report by Mercury News.

Looking ahead, Drummond says he is open to staying in Brooklyn if the Nets still want him around.

There will be a lot of factors under consideration such as money and how the No. 9 overall pick of the 2012 NBA Draft performs for the rest of the season.