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NBA Trade Rumors: 10 potential trade candidates on expiring contracts

By Larry Hammonds

PORTLAND, OREGON - DECEMBER 26: General Manager Neil Olshey of the Portland Trail Blazers speaks with General Manager Rafael Stone of the Houston Rockets during warm ups before the game against the Houston Rockets at Moda Center on December 26, 2020 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OREGON - DECEMBER 26: General Manager Neil Olshey of the Portland Trail Blazers speaks with General Manager Rafael Stone of the Houston Rockets during warm ups before the game against the Houston Rockets at Moda Center on December 26, 2020 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) /
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NBA trade rumors (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
NBA trade rumors (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

Potential NBA trade rumors candidate No. 1: Andre Drummond

There was a time when Cleveland Cavaliers fans were waiting impatiently for the team to announce a contract extension with Andre Drummond. After trading for the younger Jarrett Allen from the Brooklyn Nets as part of a four-team trade, that is no longer expected.

Sooner or later (sooner rather than later for the sake of the fanbase), Drummond is expected to be moved before the March 25th trade deadline. There was already a logjam in the Cavaliers’ frontcourt before the trade, now more than ever, they need to start moving pieces.

Drummond is making $28.75 million this season and will enter unrestricted free agency this summer. Not many teams have the combination cap space and assets to acquire the former ninth overall pick, but that shouldn’t stop teams in the playoff hunt from making a play for the two-time All-Star and four-time rebounding champion.

He is not a premier shot blocker but still a solid post defender. He averages 1.4 steals and 1.6 blocks per game for his career. He’s one of the best (if not the best) rebounders in the entire league. Drummond is more of a traditional center; he doesn’t really stretch the floor but has a decent mid-range shot and can dominate in the post.

He’s shooting a career-low 48.1 percent from the field but carries averages of 18.5 points, 14.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game through the first 23 games of the season.

While he’s failed to adjust to the modern NBA where big men are expected to be a swiss army knife, he can help plenty of teams this season as well as in the future, should whoever decides to trade for him elects to renew his contract. Also, keep in mind that he will only be 28 years old at the season’s conclusion.

At the time of this writing, the Cavs have a 10-15 record, good for 11th place in the eastern conference standings and a half-game behind the Miami Heat for the final spot in the play-in tournament if the season ended today.

Cleveland may not be sellers at the deadline if they are still fighting for a playoff spot but if they continue to slip in the standings and fall out of playoff contention, look for potential title contenders in dire need of a paint presence such as the Toronto Raptors and the Brooklyn Nets to come calling for Drummond.