According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Chicago Bulls were only willing to trade Andre Drummond if they acquired a center to replace him.
The Bulls almost traded Drummond to the Philadelphia 76ers before pulling out of trade talks.
“One league source said that the Bulls were only willing to trade Drummond if they could arrange the acquisition of another center to replace him,” Stein wrote. “When no such trade materialized, Chicago opted to keep Drummond in hopes that his rebounding (8.6 boards in 16.7 minutes per game) will help the 26-29 Bulls secure a Play-In Tournament berth in the East at the very least.”
Along with the Sixers, Drummond drew trade interest from the Boston Celtics, Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns and Houston Rockets.
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. If the season ended today, Chicago would be in the play-in tournament for the second consecutive year.
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 Bulls open the second half of the season against the Celtics, who have the top record in the NBA at 43-12.
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