UPDATE: Dallas Mavericks Reportedly Could Sign 2x NBA All-Star
UPDATE: ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports that Andre Drummond exercised his contract option to stay with the Bulls.
UPDATE: Marc Stein tweeted an update to his report.
Via Stein's Tweet: "UPDATE: League sources say Dallas' interest in Andre Drummond would be dependent on a trade that has not yet come to fruition.
Various rival teams, in my story earlier today, have projected Drummond to land with the Mavericks in free agency IF he opts to walk away from Chicago."
Andre Drummond was once among the best centers in the NBA and has been an All-Star twice.
This past year, the veteran center finished up his first season with the Chicago Bulls, averaging 6.0 points and 6.6 rebounds per contest while shooting 60.6% from the field in 67 regular season games.
He has a player option on his contract that would pay him $3.4 million for the 2023-24 NBA season.
If Drummond declines, he will be an unrestricted free agent and able to sign with any team in the league.
According to Marc Stein of The Stein Line (via his newsletter on Substack), the Dallas Mavericks will likely sign the 29-year-old if he becomes available.
Stein via The Stein Line: "Multiple rival teams have told me this week that they expect Dallas to come to terms early in free agency with former All-Star center Andre Drummond … provided Drummond, as expected, declines his $3.36 million player option with Chicago before his Thursday’s deadline to do so."
In addition to the Bulls, Drummond has also spent time with the Detroit Pistons, Cleveland Cavaliers, Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets (he was the tenth pick in the 2012 NBA Draft out of UConn).
While he is no longer in his prime, Drummond could help the Mavs in a significant way.
Last year, the Mavs ranked just 29th in the NBA for rebounds (47.5 RPG).
Drummond's career averages are 13.2 points, 12.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.4 blocks per contest while shooting 54.2% from the field over 785 regular season games.
