Pistons star center Andre Drummond reiterated his desire to stay in Detroit past the February 6 trade deadline, with rumors swirling about whether he could soon be dealt to another team, Nick Friedell of ESPN.com writes.
The Pistons have engaged in trade discussions on a deal centered around Drummond with several teams, including the Hawks, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported on Saturday. However, no deal is imminent as of now.
“I’m not a quitter, for one,” Drummond said, as relayed by Friedell. “I was never brought up to be a quitter. If I start somewhere, I try to finish there, try to complete the mission, which is to win a championship here [in Detroit]. It will never be me that wants to go anywhere … I love being here. I would love to play here the rest of my career.”
There’s an increasing belief inside and outside the Pistons’ organization that Drummond will be dealt before the trade deadline, according to Wojnarowski. The team is planning for Drummond to decline his $29MM player option for the 2020/21 season and become a free agent on July 1.
“I’ve been dealing with this since the year I signed my contract so the trade rumors will always come around, so this is another year for me,” Drummond said. “It’s always that time of year around January where trade talks come. Nothing’s happened. Obviously, the talks have started, so these questions will start to come. I’ve been looking forward to them coming, but for me, I’m just going to continue to play the game I play, play here in Detroit where I love to be, and whatever happens, happens.”
The Pistons have been derailed by injuries this season, currently owning the fifth-worst record in the Eastern Conference at 13-23.
Drummond, 26, was drafted No. 9 overall in 2012 and is in his eighth campaign with the team. He’s averaged 17.5 points, 15.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in 34 games so far this year.
If Detroit was going to trade him, they should have done it last season when he had twice the value. Now you’re going to get spare parts and a single 1st Rounder for your best player.
Of course but you are stating the obvious. Gores is clueless!
If Drummond wants to stay in Detroit so bad tell him to take 25mil a year and not the max and he will easily stay in the D
Would love if he would do that.
It’s just lip service, he’s saying the “right” thing. If he wanted to stay, he wouldn’t have previously said he’s opting out. He’d opt in, or sign a new deal that doesn’t hamstring the cap. Actions speak louder than words.
Nah, they want the most money.
not buying it. this is the same guy who said he was excited to test free agency last season
He must not like the teams that are trying to trade for him.
Until he gets traded to a contender and 5 minutes later states he is so happy to be out of the hell hole.
I dont think teams will trade a 1st knowing he is a rental. I think Atlanta is the only team thst will trade a 1st…. but seing how bad they are doing, Drummond might hate the losing culture and bolt…. but who knows maybe ATL starts playing really well and wnds up grabbing the 7th or 8th seed with drummond
Atlanta have a young nucleus & way more upside so he could opt in & be unrestricted the year after.
He just didn’t want to say “yeah, please trade me” and then get fined.
It would benice if hecould say that. He would play pretty hard anyway to support his trade interest.
Celtics realistically have the trade chips that Detroit would want. Just depends how much Detroit would take back in salary dumps.
i wonder if he only cares about money and not wins or a championship