Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond has the opportunity to cash in this summer as an unrestricted free-agent, but he may not get the max contract that he’s looking for.
The Athletic‘s James Edwards III speculates that while Drummond will likely be looking for a max contract on the open market, he ultimately may not receive the kind of money that he’s looking for:
“There is a scenario in which Detroit could trade its franchise center this season. Again, it’ll depend on where the Pistons are in the playoff race by the time the deadline inches closer,” Edwards III writes. “There also is a scenario in which the Pistons could let him walk in free agency. And, of course, depending on if the Pistons can turn it around, he could return next year on a new contract. One source said Drummond likely will sign a new contract that averages somewhere between $20 million and $25 million annually, not the max.”
Drummond has a player-option for next season worth $28.8 million, and should he decline, he would become an unrestricted free-agent.
So far this season, he’s averaging 17.7 points, 16.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.8 blocks per game.
