KEY POINTS

  • The Boston Celtics loom as the best team to add Andre Drummond with their NBA trade exception budget
  • The Toronto Raptors appear to have the lead on Drummond, reportedly holding talks with the Cavaliers
  • Drummond may opt to join the Brooklyn Nets to possibly win an NBA title

Andre Drummond is patiently waiting for his next stop, sitting out the Cleveland Cavaliers games with the NBA club exploring trade options.

The NBA trade deadline is set for Mar. 25, but the consensus is that most teams are waiting for a buyout that absorbs the 27-year-old player’s lofty contract.

Drummond holds a $28 million contract that NBA teams are a bit wary of. For now, the Cavs are hoping to get something in return for the All-Star center.

However, that may only happen if any team would be willing to give up some players and future assets to make up the needed numbers for a Drummond trade to go down.

The Dallas Mavericks were mentioned as a team who could cash in and take the 9th overall pick of the 2012 NBA Draft. However, head coach Rick Carlisle hinted in a previous post that getting a big man at this point is not an immediate need.

Hence, it remains open season for the four-time NBA rebounding leader and several playoff-bound teams could ramp up their chase.

Below are some of them. According to an unnamed NBA executive via NBA Central, the Brooklyn Nets, Toronto Raptors, Boston Celtics and the Miami Heat should be teams to watch.

Boston Celtics

Considering they have an NBA player exception worth $28.5 million, adding Drummond could make sense.

However, team president Danny Ainge may have to add a bit more to cover the $28.7 million salary of Drummond to make it work.

Also, Drummond would have to adjust with Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum getting the majority of ball touches. It could be a temporary stop for the All-Star center as the C's try to boost their campaign.

Miami Heat

The Heat need help up front, something that Drummond can ably fill. The South Beach squad is considered a dark horse in the Drummond race.

However, getting the 6-foot-10 center in may only go down if a buyout happens between Drummond and the Cavs.

Toronto Raptors

A team that needs a clear shot in the arm is the Raptors. But the problem here would be the matching of salaries.

Shams Charania of The Athletic alleges that active talks are being done between the former NBA champions and the Cavs. A package could be made with Norma Powell and Aron Baynes as part of the deal.

Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets talks with Andre Drummond #3 of the Cleveland Cavaliers
Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets talks with Andre Drummond #3 of the Cleveland Cavaliers Getty Images | Jason Miller

Brooklyn Nets

A team that Drummond may love to join would be the Nets. There is no question that Brooklyn is a team to watch heading into the NBA playoffs.

Drummond would be a big addition, not to mention put him in a spot where he could win an NBA title.

He is seen as a natural fit, but money matters come to play. Players like Spencer Dinwiddie could be part of a deal although Brooklyn needs to sweeten the pot more.

That could be a big boost for this season, but the chances of the Nets keeping Drummond beyond the current NBA season does not look so promising.

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