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NBA Trade Deadline: Every Team’s Most Untouchable Asset

By Maxwell Ogden

Nov 30, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) and forward Blake Griffin (32) during an NBA game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 30, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) and forward Blake Griffin (32) during an NBA game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 4, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Stanley Johnson (3) and center Andre Drummond (0) and forward Ersan Ilyasova (23) and forward Marcus Morris (13) celebrate after a play during the first quarter against the New York Knicks at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 4, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Stanley Johnson (3) and center Andre Drummond (0) and forward Ersan Ilyasova (23) and forward Marcus Morris (13) celebrate after a play during the first quarter against the New York Knicks at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /

Detroit Pistons: Andre Drummond

Stan Van Gundy has been aggressive in his attempts to recreate the glory of the late-2000s Orlando Magic. With Andre Drummond and Reggie Jackson serving as the Detroit Pistons’ version of Dwight Howard and Jameer Nelson, and the supporting cast crafted in the mold of Van Gundy’s old Orlando teams, they’re not too far from achieving that goal.

There are a number of key contributors who should be kept around, but it’s clear that Drummond is being developed as the franchise player.

Many have compared Drummond to Howard due to the Van Gundy connection, but Howard was a superior defensive anchor and a far more efficient free throw shooter. That’s a tough pill to swallow considering Howard was an inefficient free throw shooter.

At 22 years old, however, Drummond is already one of the Top 20 players in the NBA.

17.0 points, a league-leading 14.9 rebounds, 1.6 steals, and 1.5 blocks through 54 games. He’s made significant strides fundamentally, becoming a scoring threat in isolation with a jab step that’s kept even the best of defensive centers honest.

Drummond cannot be touched if Detroit hopes to build a future as a championship contender.

Next: Golden State Warriors