Last winter, Knicks Brass internally discussed trading for Detroit center Andre Drummond, who had a waiver clause to become a free agent.
The Knicks weren’t too worried about Drummond’s retention if he gave up. The Mount Vernon native, Knicks believed, would probably like to sign again with his hometown team.
In fact, Knicks’ then-president, Steve Mills, is close to Drummond’s family.
Eventually, the Knicks decided against her, committing to rebuilding and centering Mitchell Robinson. On February 6, Drummond was assigned to the Knights. He exercised his $ 28.7 million option for 2020-21 because of the short-lived pandemic agency and stayed in Cleveland.
He advances a year later, and the Knights try to change the former UConn star as a lease. They repeated All-Star twice this week until they committed to a deal.
The kidnappers, the sources confirm, are on offer. But it is not an easy financial trade with Drummond’s considerable salaries.
As Robinson leaves the special surgery hospital after the hand-to-hand operation until mid-to-late March, the Knicks should take a look at Drummond – not just as a rental, but as a piece to build around. to Julius Randle.
Some members of the Knicks are not sure that Randle and Drummond would make the right match. Some in the league consider Robinson to be a better long-term piece to build, despite his lack of offensive progress.
Will Robinson continue to evolve his game into more than a master of shooting / rebounding / alley-oop? The Knicks have a team option for Robinson for next season at $ 1.8 million, so they can find out at cheap prices.
Knicks still has $ 15 million in space to mathematically facilitate a transaction with Drummond. They have deposited enough capital projects so that some can be spared. There are also two youngsters in the rotation for whom the Cavaliers might have a craving – Kevin Knox or Frank Ntilikina.
If Drummond is cheap, what must the Knicks lose if they find he and Randle don’t mix?
Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau has taken every ounce of talent out of this team. They were one step closer to the .500 mark in Orlando on Wednesday, before the second half of 33 points.
Indeed, the Knicks overcame 14-16, healthier than most clubs this season.
Robinson was the first major victim and his absence eventually hurt them in Orlando. No easy buckets of trash after offensive missiles, alley blows, impulse-blocked blocked shots or key defensive missiles. The new owner Nerlens Noel is the Robinson of a poor man and makes everything a little less efficient.
Beware, Robinson is not a sure thing as a full starter in a legitimate playoff team. Obi Toppin is not a sure thing, as a starter, who was taken out of, as one scout said, “a historically bad project.”
Robinson has often been hurt by the reckless – and wonderful – way he plays and fights. Fly around the field, blocking shots on the 3-point line. He broke his hand in an attempt to block himself as he collided with Randle’s elbow as he descended to Washington on Friday.
Robinson is an old school center, as is the drummond, but Drummond’s game grows at 27 years old. Robinson’s offensive repertoire has not grown.
Drummond has been a double-twin car for several years, but now it pulls free throws better (59.7 percent). Scouts say he is one of the few centers who can take a rebound and push the ball up. He has the ability to pass the ball and has become a good passer.
Drummond’s strong numbers have always seemed bigger than the overall picture, but he has an average of 17.5 points, 13.5 rebounds and 2.6 assists. He has also been very enduring throughout his nine-year career.
According to sources, Knicks “are tight for now” in terms of the situation in the center. They want to see the central tandem Noel-Taj Gibson playing while fighting for a berth in the playoffs.
Before defeating the Knicks, Orlando coach Steve Clifford paid tribute to them, saying: “It would be one of the teams they don’t want to play against. I don’t think there is a bigger compliment in this league than being difficult to play “.
At some point, Leon Rose needs to improve his talent level. Orlando directed the Knicks without their best player, Aaron Gordon, James Ennis, key rotation type and starting point Markelle Fultz.
Even Jeff Van Gundy recently said that the Knicks “don’t have enough offensive talent.” Meanwhile, the 2021 free agent class that Knicks was looking at after a quiet signing period in November has dried up.
Thibodeau wants to win this season – and in the future. The child on Mount Vernon can help the Knicks do both.