KEY POINTS

  • The Knicks plan to take in Andre Drummond and consider signing him to long-term deal
  • Both the Lakers and Nets are still rumored to be Drummond's potential landing spots 
  • Drummond can secure his future as early as this season if the Knicks offer him a multi-year deal

The New York Knicks have the power to immediately take in Andre Drummond, who has been sidelined since Feb. 12 by the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Cavs have opted to preserve the 6-foot-10 cager with hopes of pulling off a trade with other teams.

The Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Lakers are two teams believed to be keen on getting the All-Star center. But the problem is that both teams can only do so if the Cavs buy him out.

The NBA trade deadline will more or less clear the air. But then again, the Knicks could spoil all that by offering something the big man would love to get.

The Knicks’ interest in Drummond dates way back to the time when the cager was still with the Detroit Pistons.

Negotiations were ongoing at the time, but the 27-year-old big man had been dealt to the Cavs. But now that the two-time NBA All-Star is on the block, New York could foil the plans of the Nets, Lakers, and other teams in the race for Drummond’s services.

Better yet, they are allegedly ready to lock up the ninth overall pick of the 2012 NBA Draft long-term, SNY.tv reported.

The Knicks could use a guy like Drummond in the middle. Mitchell Robinson is still out of commission with a fractured hand, and head coach Tom Thibodeau only has Nerlens Noel and Taj Gibson manning the slot.

Drummond would be a perfect fit for the Knicks who are banking on the superb season of Julius Randle. He is a bonafide double-double machine that could give the franchise a much-needed boost heading into the playoffs.

Andre Drummond #3 of the Cleveland Cavaliers
Andre Drummond #3 of the Cleveland Cavaliers Getty Images | Jason Miller

Although Drummond is likely to prefer joining a contender and worry about his financial security in the offseason, the Knicks could give that to him as early as now.

The Knicks could offer a multi-year deal if they get him, something that would secure the player’s future.

For now, it remains to be seen if Drummond has that in mind. With the Lakers and Nets seen as only temporary stops, the All-Star center can secure his future as early as now with the Knicks.

Drummond has wanted to play for a team that believes in him, an angle that could land him a permanent new home in the Big Apple.

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