The Chicago Bulls helped Andre Drummond regain his value and land his current contract with the 76ers, but things turned disastrous last season. The 6’11 big man was supposed to back up Joel Embiid, but injuries forced him into a larger role, where he was quickly exposed. The Sixers struggled on both ends of the floor with Drummond leading to a negative 14.9 net rating in his minutes. It was probably the beginning of the end for the 32-year-old big man.
Bulls fans remember him outplaying Nikola Vucevic and being positive every time he was on the court in Chicago. Drummond hasn’t been an All-Star since 2018, but he was an elite reserve big man and monster rebounder for the Bulls. Chicago found a way to maximize him, but regression seems to have hit quickly for the 6’11 big man.
The 76ers attempted to trade Drummond during the offseason, but were unable to find a buyer. He’s played off the bench behind Adem Bona this preseason and likely isn’t in Philly’s rotation when Embiid is in the lineup. The Sixers clearly want to move on, but haven’t been able to find a trade partner.
Andre Drummond collapses with no signs of recovery
Drummond could never guard the perimeter or space the floor. He was a limited player in his prime and he’s already years behind him. Last season, the 6’11 big man struggled to protect the rim and had the second-worst completion percentage of his career. It’s dangerous to expect a big man in his 30s to bounce back after a mediocre season. It’s more likely that things will only get worse from here for Drummond.
The Bulls may have moved on at exactly the right time. They had center issues last season and continue to shop Vucevic, but the front office has wisely avoided overpaying to keep Drummond. No one knew the fall would come so quickly, but Chicago would have been the team if anyone had.
The 76ers need Drummond badly. Embiid only played in 19 games last season and is slowly progressing after his latest knee injury. Philadelphia has Bona, but needs to have someone else eat up minutes, especially without a true power forward on their roster. If Drummond doesn’t bounce back (and he won’t), it will likely be another tough season for the Sixers.
The Chicago Bulls hope to top Philly in the standings and return to the playoffs. They want Andre Drummond to return to form, but won’t be upset to see the 76ers struggle. Drummond is in his 30s and is probably more of a third center for the rest of his career. His days with the Bulls were unfortunately his last as a positive contributor on a nightly basis. Thanks Chicago for leaving at the right time.
