With the trade deadline just over a week approaching, the rumor mill for the Philadelphia 76ers has already started turning. However, the noise in the market for them has been quite mind-boggling, as reports now say is the case willing to ship veteran big man Andre Drummond away to another team. Even from a preliminary perspective, that simply doesn’t make sense for the team.
Drummond had a pretty lackluster season for the 76ers last season, but that was far from the case this time around. Now that he’s healthier, the former All-Star has been more than useful to the team, capably filling in for Joel Embiid during times when he’s sidelined due to injury or rest. That makes it strange that the front office has become so open to the idea of letting him go.
Since the veteran is on an expiring contract, there’s no doubt this will generate a lot of interest on the trade market. Naturally, the suggestion is that the 76ers won’t ask for the world from potential buyers. However, it was never about the return package. That this team is willing to give the best of itself rebounder is actually a step forward towards an actual, collective implosion.
The 76ers being willing to trade Andre Drummond makes absolutely no sense
A few things stand out as two of the biggest needs for this 76ers team: rebounding and depth at the center position. What does Drummond offer? Those two things in particular. As such (and to break the chase) this begs the question: what is the front office thinking even with this willing attitude of theirs to take one of the best backup big men in the league?
With just 43.8 boards per game, the 76ers rank in the bottom half of the league when it comes to securing rebounds, ranking 17th. To make matters worse, they rank 24th out of all 30 teams in finishing possession and securing defensive boards. This is reason enough to keep Drummond.
Furthermore, the 76ers would be wise to continue to strengthen their position behind the superstar, even if Embiid looks healthier than he has in two years. Sure, his minutes are up, but with the playoff picture heating up, the team will have to manage his load more wisely going forward. Having an experienced option like Drummond helps tremendously in that regard.
There is literally no incentive for the 76ers to simply ship him away unless they value a unique second-round pick that much. He’s on an expiring deal anyway, so the only rational option for the front office is to keep him in the fold, barring any abrupt offer that ordinary prudence couldn’t refuse.
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