If Andre Drummond really felt blindsided by his deadline-day trade from the Pistons to the Cavaliers on Thursday, then his off-court awareness is close to zero.
Drummond was shocked — shocked — and dismayed at being sent to a division rival shortly before 3 p.m. ET. The center sent this tweet to let everyone know how upset he was:
If there’s one thing I learned about the NBA, there’s no friends or loyalty. I’ve given my heart and soul to the Pistons , and to be have this happen with no heads up makes me realize even more that this is just a business! I love you Detroit...
— Andre Drummond (@AndreDrummond) February 6, 2020
A few thoughts here:
It may be that the about-to-rebuild Pistons didn't tell him the already-rebuilding Cavs were looking to acquire him and then gamble on him opting into the final year of his contract (at $28.7 million) in July. Deals sometimes come together quickly before a deadline.
NBA TRADE DEADLINE 2020: Full list of completed deals
To say that he needed a "heads up," though, seems, from the outside, to be an odd take.
Unless Drummond fully unplugs off the court — and it's clear he doesn't — then he knows the Pistons were shopping him like a fake Rolex in midtown Manhattan. He almost wound up in midtown Manhattan, in fact, because the Knicks were exploring a deal for him. The Hawks were making overtures, too. The Hornets reportedly showed interest. Nothing came of those negotiations, however. The Pistons supposedly were driving a hard bargain.
Then the Cavs came in with their lowball offer of a second-round draft pick and two veteran fillers shortly before the deadline, and the Pistons said, "Sold," before the clock struck 3.
A deal could have happened at any moment over the past month-plus. It so happened that it was completed at the last possible moment.
Drummond's next tweet included a pledge of allegiance to Cleveland. He was ready to join his new employer.
Cont... you will always have a special place in my heart! But on to the next @cavs hope your ready! Let’s finish the year off the right way 🦋
— Andre Drummond (@AndreDrummond) February 6, 2020
The Pistons basically gave Drummond away, but the important thing for them is that they don't have to worry about possibly paying him $28.7 million next season as they retool the roster. Drummond should not have been surprised by the move, even if it may have come without express warning. It was, in fact, weeks in the making. It was, as he acknowledged, business as usual.
