Chicago Bulls' Andre Drummond is playing in the final year of the two-year contract he signed in 2022, so it would have made perfect sense for the team to move on from him. According to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto, the Bulls had a deal lined up that would have sent the big man to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for several draft picks. However, the Bulls backed off the deal at the last minute.
Deal with the 76ers was ideal
The potential trade with the 76ers was ideal as the latter needed a center to replace the injured Joel Embiid, who remains without a timeline after undergoing surgery to repair a tear in the lateral meniscus in his left knee.
Dealing Drummond would have also ensured the Bulls wouldn’t be left high and dry this offseason if the backup big man opted to sign with another team. However, the trade between Chicago and Philadelphia never materialized as the Bulls’ decision-makers apparently had a change of heart.
“The 76ers believed they had a trade done to acquire Bulls center Andre Drummond before Chicago pulled out of talks hours before the deadline,” Scotto wrote.
“The Bulls wanted three second-round picks for Drummond, league sources said. For context, the Nets acquired three second-round picks in the three-team Royce O’Neale trade.”
What’s next?
Scotto revealed that Chicago also got offers from the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks, but deals with neither squad came to fruition. This begs the question: What’s next for Drummond and the Bulls? Are the Bulls confident in their ability to re-sign Drummond this offseason?
While Drummond’s future in Chicago is uncertain, his ability to impact a game is not. The former rebounding champ is averaging 8.1 points and 8.6 rebounds per game, but is playing more lately, being used in twin-tower combinations with starting center Nikola Vucevic.
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