NBA Trade Rumors: The Toronto Raptors are reportedly interested in Andre Drummond
The Toronto Raptors have not gotten off to the start that they would’ve liked to, but they’re not out of the playoff race by any means in the Eastern Conference. In fact, after winning four of their last five games, Toronto is sitting in 8th place of the East standings and just two games behind the fourth seed.
After a rough start, there is a route towards turning the season around. The big question for Toronto is whether or not that includes trading for Andre Drummond, who the team is reportedly interested in with the NBA Trade Deadline a little over a month away.
"[via The Ringer]"
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"The Raptors are among the teams interested in Drummond now, league sources say."
If there’s one front office personnel over the last few years that has demanded zero questioning over his decisions, it’s been Toronto Raptors general manager Masai Ujiri. However, I have my doubts regarding a potential trade for Andre Drummond.
Even though the Raptors haven’t been the same team since they lost both Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka, I don’t think the simple play here to trying to get back to an Eastern Conference Finals is to simply trade for another big. Especially one in the way of Drummond.
While Drummond might be a statistical stat sheet stuffer (he’s averaging 19 points, 14 rebounds, and three assists per game this season in Cleveland), he might not be the best fit for a team like Toronto.
Making such a rash move here could not only result in losing an asset or two that the team could use in the future, but also complicate the team’s cap sheet moving forward (especially if they’re trading for Drummond without looking at him as a rental).
It’s likely that the Toronto Raptors make a move ahead of the NBA Trade Deadline; I’m just not sure trading for a big that may or may not be able to play in crunch-time minutes is the smartest of moves for one of the most innovative coaching staff and front office in the NBA.