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Former Detroit Pistons Star ‘Expected’ to Hit Free Agency

Former Detroit Pistons star Andre Drummond is expected to search for a new team in free agency.
Justin Grasso|
Feb 27, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Detroit Pistons center James Wiseman (13) drives to the basket against Chicago Bulls center Andre Drummond (3) during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 27, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Detroit Pistons center James Wiseman (13) drives to the basket against Chicago Bulls center Andre Drummond (3) during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports | Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

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Detroit PistonsChicago Bulls

It appears that a former Detroit Pistons first-rounder is headed for free agency this summer.

According to the Chicago Sun Times’ Joe Cowley, Andre Drummond is “expected” to test the free agency market as he’s in search of a new team.

The last time Drummond tested free agency, he inked a two-year deal with the Chicago Bulls. If he exercised his second-year option, the veteran big man would make over $6 million across two seasons, which he did.

At the 2024 trade deadline, Drummond was a popular prospect. With his run in Chicago involving an inconsistent role, especially throughout his first year there, Drummond was expected to land a change of scenery for the second half of the 2023-2024 season.

Although a trade didn’t take place, it appears Drummond is likely committed to moving on. While Drummond might not generate the big offers he landed earlier in his career, there will certainly be a market of suitors for his services as a potential backup big man.

The Pistons brought in Drummond as the ninth-overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. He was an immediate contributor and quickly established himself as one of the NBA’s top-tier rebounders.

With the Pistons, Drummond led the league in rebounds per game on four occasions. He also acquired two All-Star appearances. The Drummond-Pistons partnership ended in 2020. At the trade deadline, Detroit moved Drummond to the Cleveland Cavaliers. One year after his arrival in Ohio, Drummond reached a buy-out with the Cavs before joining the Los Angeles Lakers.

Since LA, Drummond has had stops in Philadelphia, Brooklyn, and Chicago. This summer, he’ll be on the hunt for his seventh team.

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Justin Grasso
JUSTIN GRASSO

Justin Grasso was a credentialed writer and publisher covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s 76ers On SI Network. Grasso got his start in sports media in 2016 with FantasyPros, working the news desk, providing game-by-game player analysis and updates on the Portland Trail Blazers and the Golden State Warriors. By 2017, he joined FanSided’s Philadelphia Eagles site as a staff writer. After spending one season covering the Eagles as a staff writer, Grasso was promoted to become the site’s Co-Editor. For the next two NFL seasons, he covered the Eagles closely before broadening his NFL coverage. For a brief stint, Grasso covered the NFL on a national basis after joining Heavy.com as an NFL news desk writer. In 2019, Grasso joined the 76ers' beat on a part-time basis, stepping into a role with South Jersey’s 97.3 ESPN. Ahead of the 2019-2020 NBA season, he concluded a three-year stint covering the Eagles and joined the Sixers beat full-time. Grasso has covered the 76ers exclusively since then for Sports Illustrated. He is a member of the Pro Basketball Writers Association. Twitter: @JGrasso_ Instagram: @JGrassoMedia

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