The Cavaliers are still optimistic about an Andre Drummond trade before Thursday’s deadline, although they don’t expect much in return, writes Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com. Drummond hasn’t played since February 12 while the Cavs searched for a trading partner, and he will be a strong buyout candidate if Cleveland can’t work out a deal.
The interest level in Drummond has always been high, Fedor adds, but his $28.7MM contract makes any deal complicated. Many teams would like to add the veteran center for a playoff run, but the players they would have to give up to match salaries are too good to part with.
Fedor states that general manager Koby Altman will need to be creative and suggests a multi-team deal is the only realistic way for Drummond to be traded. Cedi Osman or Taurean Prince could be offered to motivate other teams to get involved, according to Fedor.
Rival teams are becoming skeptical that Drummond will be traded, Fedor adds, but he says the idea that only a few teams will have a chance to sign him after a buyout works in Cleveland’s favor. The Knicks, Raptors, Bulls, Heat and Celtics probably couldn’t compete with the Lakers or Nets if Drummond becomes a free agent, so they may be willing to make modest trade offers. Fedor points to New York as the most likely team to trade for Drummond.
There’s more from Cleveland:
- The Cavaliers should expect an offseason extension for Jarrett Allen to cost about $100MM, Fedor notes in the same story. Even though he will be a restricted free agent, Allen is expected to be one of the top players on the market this summer. Cleveland is committed to keeping him, Fedor adds, but will have to start his new contract at around $20MM per year.
- Kevin Love has been offered up in trades for several months, but the Cavs haven’t found any takers, writes Brian Windhorst of ESPN. A calf injury that has sidelined Love for most of the season and a pricey contract that pays him more than $60MM over the next two years have limited the market for the veteran forward.
- The Cavaliers are facing a decision on Quinn Cook, whose 10-day contract expires today. Cook has appeared in four games since signing with Cleveland, averaging 5.0 PPG in 12.8 minutes per night. He is eligible to sign another 10-day deal with the team.
Love’s contract is a real albatross. Sometimes I tend to forget he’s still in the league
Hey come on…he’s played 9 quarters and has scored 23 whole points this year! How can you forget about him??
Love is not getting traded unless its for a bad contract back.
Cavs really dropped the ball on Love post LeBron. They were clearly rebuilding held onto him and he lost value with injuries and declining play.
I like the multi-team trade idea for Cleveland. Osman is expendable, could be enough to bring back another 2nd or rotation player. Including Nance Or Prince isn’t a bad idea either if the return is good.
Nance should really be a core guy for them. Attaching Cedi or Prince is fine, but I’m not really sure if a team would have enough interest in either of them to give up anything anyway.
If the Cavs can’t get anything for Drummond without having to attach Nance, they’re better off just buying him out.
Maybe if you’re thinking a 2nd round pick is what you’ll get. Nance Jr. isn’t better than Aaron Gordon, and Evan Fournier coming back in a trade.
Jarrett Allen is very strong
Oladipo is weak now
Rockets like Oladipo more than Allen
If Allen demands $100 million contract, Oladipo would demand $120 million, comparing to Hayward
By the #’s it looks ugly, and straight forward. Usually a backstory to such awful FO decision making.
Probably a combination of player/FO preferrence/politics. I’d like to know!
You can tell which GMs shouldn’t be GMs. There’s no ‘hindsight is 20-20’ with contracts given to guys like Love or Griffin. Morey is now with the Sixers but you go.. who the heck gives Eric Gordon that contract? Who gives up picks for Russell Westbrook?
For the Cavs… what was the point of trading for Drummond last year? If all he garnered was a couple expiring deals and a 2nd, what could you possibly expect for him?
Side topic… buyout market has really made trades rumors boring. No one wants to trade, oh hell get bought out.
So basically CLE won’t pay Dre… but they are gonna pay Allen almost as much as Dre for doin’ a lot less?
SMH! Can’t understand that one, really!
I do like Allen a lot, but can’t see him been ever as good as Dre, just my opinion!
Look at advanced stats…Allen is such a better fit for most teams
The teams who could use Drummond the most. Teams who he makes better now and long term. Is Hornets, Raptors, Mavericks all should look to trade for him. To me if Hornets get him. They are a dangerous team.
Warriors should pick up Love. He fits them like a glove. They would be ready for next yr. They could use Obrue .