INDEPENDENCE, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – Thursday’s deadline deal for Andre Drummond was a stunner.
Especially for Drummond.
“I thought it was a joke,” Drummond said following practice Saturday, his first with the Cavs, about his initial reaction to the deal.
“I thought it was a joke at first, but obviously when it all settled in, I’m truly excited to be somewhere where I am wanted.”
With the shock of the deal worn off, Drummond went right to work Saturday afternoon on the practice floor. He also asked for extra film so he could study his new teammates, especially young guards Collin Sexton, Darius Garland and Kevin Porter Jr.
“I think I can really help them out, Drummond said. “As a back line of defense, definitely communication is going to be huge with them. I know they’re young and they’re still learning, but if I can help them get past that curve a little bit early, I think we’ll be very good.”
Cleveland got the two-time All-Star for a steal by sending the expiring contracts of Brandon Knight, John Henson and a 2023 second round pick to Detroit in return from Drummond, who has a $28.7 million player option for the 2020-21 season remaining on his contract.
It’s been reported that with few contenders expected to have enough cap space this summer that Drummond will opt-in and the Cavs see the 26-year old as a major building block going forward.
“I just got here, man. I haven’t even unpacked a bag,” Drummond said. “I haven’t thought about anything. As of right now I’m a Cleveland Cavalier and I’m excited.”
Head coach John Beilein met with Drummond Friday night shortly after the center arrived from Detroit and he wrapped up a movie date with his wife.
“I was so excited about his energy that he was going to bring to Cleveland, his desire to be here,” Beilein said.
Beilein plans to replace Tristan Thompson with Drummond in the starting lineup at center.
“I’m not taking anybody’s job,” Drummond said. “I’m just here to play. I didn’t come here expecting anything. I’m just here to do my job, whatever they need me to do, I’ll get it done. Whether it’s being a starter or coming off the bench, whatever they need from me to help this team be successful, I’ll do it.”
Drummond leaves the 19-35 Pistons and joins the worst team in the eastern conference and the second-worst team in the NBA, the 13-39 Cavs.
“It doesn’t faze me because I see a bright future here in Cleveland,” Drummond said. “The young guys here are really, really good. With the addition of myself and having Kevin [Love] healthy, we can do special things here.”
Many expected general manger Koby Altman to sell off multiple expiring contracts at the trade deadline, including Thompson’s, for draft picks but acquiring Drummond sent a different message to a locker room that had begun to show signs of fatigue from the organization’s plans to rebuild.
“I think he brings a lot to us,” Beilein said. “We are deeper right now. Look at our second squad right now with the defense they can play. Sometimes it’s one guy. Like adding a great cleanup hitter or a great leadoff hitter, there’s just one thing that changes the dynamic. We hope that’s what happens.”
Shortly after the news broke, Drummond spoke with Kevin Love.
“To be here with him is great,” Drummond said. “He’s a great shooter, great passer. I think I can help him a lot on both ends of the court to help lessen the load on him.”
In addition to visiting with Beilein Friday night, Drummond also had dinner with Thompson.
The eight-year veteran is expected to make his Cavs debut Sunday evening against the Los Angeles Clippers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
“I don’t know what’s missing, I think this is a great addition,” Beilein said.
“He solves a lot of problems for a lot of teams, I think.”
Drummond is averaging a career-best 17.8 points while shooting 53% from the field, an NBA-leading 15.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, a career-high 2.0 steals and 1.7 blocks in a career-high 33.8 minutes per game.
He also leads the NBA in offensive rebounds per game (4.6), defensive rebounds per game (11.2) and double-doubles (42) this season.
“I think I’m going to bring the toughness,” Drummond said. “I think I’ll be able to help in that aspect on both ends of the court.”
