Knicks Trade Deadline: Bulls' Andre Drummond to New York?
The New York Knicks have one last chance to show some aggression as the NBA trade deadline is just under 24 hours away.
One trade has already thrust the Knicks forward, as they're 15-3 since trading for Toronto's OG Anunoby on Dec. 30 (though Anunoby has missed the last five games due to elbow inflammation). Long-term injuries to Julius Randle and Mitchell Robinson, however, could have the Knicks looking to bolster the post, which could push them in the direction of Chicago Bulls center Andre Drummond.
Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports
"Drummond will likely be a popular backup center option if the Bulls put him on the market, if only because his cheap contract helps teams bumping up against the luxury tax or second apron," Sam Vecenie writes in The Athletic's trade deadline primer. "Drummond can still rebound and uses his big, physical frame to be useful off the bench. He had a good run of play recently while pinch-hitting as a starter for the injured Nikola Vučević."
The Knicks have a lot of future draft capital to work with, but Drummond isn't expected to command a first-round pick.
"Drummond wouldn’t return a first-rounder given his foot speed limitations, but the Bulls could probably get a couple of second-rounders for him, much like the Lakers did for Thomas Bryant last winter," Vecenie writes. "Having a big around who can eat minutes behind a starter is valuable, and Drummond has been effective in that role."
Isaiah Hartenstein has handled the team's primary interior duties well but the depth behind him is severely lacking, especially with Robinson's return still undated. Having a player like Drummond, who boasts significant starting experience, would be a massive help for a New York group that has prided itself on dominating the rebounding game.
Drummond got the starting nod (his eighth of the season) in place of an injured Vučević on Tuesday night and put up 16 points and rebounds each in a 129-123 overtime win over Minnesota. He's averaging 8.5 rebounds and 7.9 points this season and has appeared in all 51 Bulls games.
