of sixers Eager to move veteran center andre drummond Officials speak ahead of next week’s trade deadline Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer (Subscription required).
Drummond, 32, is on an expiring $5 million contract. he provides reliable backup joel embiid When Embiid is available, he provides a veteran presence in the starting lineup when he is unavailable. However, a good performance from the second year big man. Adem Bona The need to keep Drummond on the roster has diminished.
Drummond played in 35 games this season, starting 16 and logging 20.0 minutes per night. One of the league’s best rebounders early in his career, he averaged 7.1 points and 9.0 boards per night on 49.7 percent from the field.
a report Last month, knicks New York has shown interest in Drummond in the past, but with a tight cap, New York will have to make other moves to get his salary on the roster.
Pompey looked at the Sixers’ overall trade prospects leading up to the deadline and concluded there were no immediate needs on the roster. He notes that the team is about $7 million above the tax base and has about $1 million left until its first apron. They have a history of making trades to avoid taxes, but that philosophy could be different this year as their star players are showing signs of being one of the best teams in the East when healthy.
Pompey points to the veteran guard. Eric GordonHe is also a player who could be transferred, with his $3.63 million contract expiring soon. Gordon, 37 and in his 18th NBA season, has appeared in just six games and hasn’t played since Dec. 23. He agreed to a contract in July after declining a $3.47 million player option, but his cap hit only counts at $2.3 million, which could help his trade value.
Pompey suggests that a sweetener might convince the Nets or Jazz to use their cap space to play Gordon, but he also notes that Gordon serves as an outstanding rookie mentor. VJ Edgecomthis is an argument for keeping him on the roster.
Pompey points out that kelly oubre jr. ($8.3 million) and Quentin Grimes ($8.7 million) is also expiring, and Grimes has an implied no-trade clause that allows him to veto any deal. Pompey said there are teams around the league paying close attention to whether the Sixers are willing to part ways with Oubre.
Pompey also insists on keeping second-year guard Jared McCainwas taken out of the rotation and sent to the G League last week. McCain got off to a good start, but injuries ended his rookie season after 23 games. Pompey said he has insurance in case Grimes leaves in free agency this summer.