Detroit Pistons: Examining the best trade partners for Andre Drummond

Boston Celtics

The Boston Celtics, like the Clippers, are looking for an X-factor at center. Their current crop of Enes Kanter, Robert Williams and Daniel Theis will be their downfall when playoff basketball comes around.

Adding Drummond to the current Celtics roster is a solid move. His rebounding and rim protection will allow players like Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum and Kemba Walker even more freedom. All three are averaging more than 20 points per game.

To give up the likes of Gordon Hayward might seem like a stretch but the Pistons are going to want some quality back. The Pistons will allow Hayward to run the offense the way he used to when he played with the Utah Jazz.

While he is not the player he was before that horrific leg injury, Hayward is working his way back well. He has a player option next season and the Pistons would want some surety that he will opt in before making this move. It is unlikely that the Celtics will trade any other of their stars though.

Theis is on a non-guaranteed deal which means that the Pistons can either guarantee his deal or waive him with little to no consequence to their free agency pursuits next season. The gold here is the 2020 draft pick.

The Celtics could have three first-round picks in the 2020 draft. They have their own, the Phoenix Suns pick (which conveys if it is not in the top seven) and the Memphis Grizzlies pick (which conveys if it not in the top six). While this may not sound great, this will give the Pistons two picks in the first round.

The Pistons will have a level of expectation of what they want for Drummond, but may be asking too much in return for him. However, with Drummond potentially testing free agency this summer, they will be keen to get something back for him.