According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the Philadelphia 76ers believed they had a trade done to acquire Chicago Bulls center Andre Drummond at the NBA trade deadline.
However, the Bulls pulled out of talks hours before the deadline.
Along with the Sixers, Drummond drew trade interest from the Boston Celtics, Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns and Houston Rockets.
“The 76ers believed they had a trade done to acquire Bulls center Andre Drummond before Chicago pulled out of talks hours before the deadline, league sources told HoopsHype,” Scotto wrote. “The Bulls wanted three second-round picks for Drummond, league sources said.”
Drummond is making $3.4 million this season in the final year of his contract. He’s averaging 8.1 points, 8.6 rebounds, 0.5 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.6 blocks while shooting 55.7% from the field and 55.6% from the free-throw line.
The Bulls made no moves at the NBA trade deadline. They are in ninth place in the East with a record of 26-29.
Drummond played 49 games for the Sixers during the 2021-22 season before getting traded to the Brooklyn Nets in the blockbuster James Harden trade. Philadelphia was looking for big-man help at the trade deadline since superstar Joel Embiid is out after undergoing knee surgery.
A two-time All-Star, Drummond has career averages of 12.8 points, 12.4 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.3 blocks with the Detroit Pistons, Cleveland Cavaliers, Lakers, Sixers, Nets and Bulls. He’s one of the best rebounders in NBA history.
The Sixers are 32-22 on the season. They are in fifth place in the Eastern Conference standings. Daryl Morey traded Patrick Beverley to the Milwaukee Bucks for Cameron Payne. The exec also acquired Buddy Hield from the Indiana Pacers.
Philadelphia hasn’t gotten past the second round of the playoffs in the Embiid era. It will be intriguing to see how far the team goes this year.
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