From the moment Andre Drummond accepted his player option, Philadelphia 76ers fans threw him in trade simulators. With each passing day, it seems the fantasy that many fans share could become reality.
NetsDaily of SB Nation reported that Drummond’s salary could be absorbed by the Brooklyn Nets on Monday afternoon. The 13-year center opted into his $5 million player option on June 27th and Philadelphia has reportedly aimed to trade him since. Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report revealed that there has been buzz around the 76ers dealing Drummond or Kelly Oubre Jr. on Saturday.
Drummond may be a necessary sacrifice
Philadelphia wants to clear cap space to progress its seemingly stagnant restricted free agency negotiations with Quentin Grimes.
The 76ers are $11 million below the first tax apron and will likely require more wiggle room to retain Grimes on a new contract that suits both sides. If Philadelphia salary-dumped Drummond, it would be $16 million from the first apron. In all likelihood, the 76ers would then have ample flexibility to re-sign Grimes to a quality deal and remain under the first apron.
Brooklyn is an ideal trade partner on multiple fronts. The Nets have $8.2 million in cap space, pending Ziaire Williams’ new contract getting finalized. Brooklyn is amid a rebuild and seeks draft capital along with expiring contracts as it looks towards the long-term future.
However, the 76ers may have to get creative with a trade offer as the Nets possess 19 second-round picks.
NetsDaily noted that Brooklyn holds Philadelphia’s 2028 first-round pick, which is protected from selections one through eight. If the 76ers dealt Drummond, perhaps they could slightly lower the protections on that pick. Or, Philadelphia could simply add onto Brooklyn’s large collection of second-rounders.
Things haven’t worked out in Philadelphia
The 76ers originally signed Drummond to a two-year, $10 million contract on July 7th, 2024. Philadelphia needed a reliable backup center and believed Drummond fit the bill. The 76ers ranked amongst the bottom 10 teams in the NBA in rebounds per game since the 2021-22 season. Drummond, then having averaged 12.4 rebounds in his career, seemed like a solid solution.
But, it didn’t quite pan out.
He was limited to 40 games last season primarily due to a left toe sprain. Drummond posted 7.3 points per game on 53.5% true-shooting and 7.8 boards per game. He struggled to finish at an efficient rate and his lack of mobility plagued him defensively. Time will tell whether his struggles were caused by natural regression or his injury.
Still, with Adem Bona’s impressive rookie season and a dire need to prioritize flexibility, the 76ers may be better off sending him elsewhere to play out the final year of his contract.