The Philadelphia 76ers are willing to part ways with veteran center Andre Drummond before the Feb. 5 trade deadline, a team source told Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer.
76ers No Longer Need Andre Drummond
Drummond, 32, is on an expiring $5 million contract. The 6-foot-11 big man has served as a reliable backup for Joel Embiid when Embiid is available and a solid starter when he’s out.
However, the emergence of second-year big man Adem Bona has led to the Sixers no longer needing Drummond. The downside to trading Drummond is that Philadelphia would be in the market for another backup center, according to Pompey.
SNY’s Ian Begley also reported last month that the New York Knicks could pursue Drummond as potential backup insurance for the oft-injured Mitchell Robinson.
The Knicks, nonetheless, would have to make other moves in order to accommodate his salary.
Through 35 appearances (16 starts) this season, Drummond has averaged 7.1 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 20 minutes per game while shooting 49.7% from the field and 65.5% from the foul line.
In Philadelphia’s 127-117 home loss to the Miami Heat on Nov. 23, he recorded 14 points, a season-high 24 rebounds, and two blocks in 38 minutes as a starter.
Eric Gordon, Kelly Oubre Jr. Could Be Dealt?
In addition to Drummond, another player who could be moved is veteran guard Eric Gordon, who has a $3.63 million expiring contract. Gordon has only appeared in six games and hasn’t played at all since Dec. 23.
Pompey suggested the Sixers could entice the Nets or Jazz with a second-round pick to use their cap space to take on Gordon, but he also mentioned that Gordon has been serving as a mentor to rookie standout VJ Edgecombe.
That could ultimately lead to Philadelphia keeping Gordon.
Pompey added that Kelly Oubre Jr. ($8.3 million) and Quentin Grimes ($8.7 million) have expiring contracts as well, and Grimes holds a no-trade clause that allows him to veto any deal.
The league insider noted that Philadelphia is approximately $7 million above the tax threshold and about $1 million away from the first apron and facing penalties.
With less than half the NBA season remaining, the 76ers sit sixth overall in the Eastern Conference standings with a 24-20 record. They trail the fifth-place Cleveland Cavaliers (27-20) by 1½ games.
