At this time next year, the Pistons could look like a vastly different team.
That could be a total of $46 million coming off the books for the Pistons, the kind of financial freedom the organization hasn't had in a while. But there's another option, one that will likely hang over the team for much of this season.
The Pistons could choose to extend Drummond, 26, before he reaches free agency.
Senior advisor and acting GM Ed Stefanski wouldn't get into the subject at the team's media day on Monday, other than to say this: “We really like Andre, the person and the player. You never know what occurs, how it's going to happen, but we like the player, and as I said, we like the person."
Drummond also tabled such talks, saying he's focused on the season before him. But he did indicate he's open to an extension. Asked if he wants to be in Detroit long term, he said, “Yeah, I love being here. I love playing in Detroit. It's my eighth season here, so really looking forward to continuing my time here."
The money would have to be to Drummond's liking, of course. Near $30 million annually, considering A) he's prepared to walk away from that much in 2020-21 and B) he'd likely command even more on the open market. For all of his flaws, Drummond became the first player in NBA history last year to record 1,000 points, 1,000 rebounds, 100 blocks and 100 steals in four different seasons.
How much is that production worth? That's the question the Pistons must answer, followed by this one: Can they get something similar at a much cheaper rate? While they consider Drummond part of their core at the moment, they have to determine if the core might be better off without him -- and his salary -- moving forward.
Here's what they know: Drummond reached another level last year, averaging a career-high 17.3 points and leading the NBA in rebounding for the third time in four seasons. He posted the best player efficiency rating (23.4) of his career.
Here's what they also know: His player efficiency rating ranked just 10th among centers. Fact is, Drummond's best tools aren't relevant in this perimeter-based NBA. And if the right tools are there, the Pistons haven't figured out how to use them.
That will be Dwane Casey's challenge this season. If he can find a way to unlock Drummond's inner ability, if he can turn him into more than a rebound-grabbing, back-to-the-basket big man, the Pistons might seriously consider paying up. Centers who can stretch the floor have real value in today's NBA. (Remember what Brook Lopez did to Detroit in the playoffs?)
It's why Casey encouraged Drummond to start shooting threes last season. The Pistons scrapped that plan when it failed, but the point is that they tried. Casey has some new ideas in store this year, with Drummond's ball skills and the dribble handoff a likely point of emphasis.
"There are other things we’re doing now to try to utilize his athleticism, his speed, his ball-handling. Being creative in finding different ways to use him is huge, because if we just sit him down in the paint or in the block, that wouldn’t be advantageous to us," Casey said. "We have to find a way to use his athleticism and speed. He’s one of the fastest big guys in the league."
Casey also mentioned Drummond ranked among the NBA's top 10 shot blockers last season. When he's on, he's a dominant presence inside.
"I know a lot of people malign Andre, but he's still one of the elite rebounders," said Casey. "And as long as you're elite in something, that's very, very important to your team."
But is it worth $30 million per year, for four or five more years? Probably not. If Casey can't help Drummond significantly evolve this season, the Pistons will likely let him walk.
Either way, this isn't a situation that will be resolved anytime soon. Stefanski and the Pistons are in no rush to make a pricey, long-term commitment, and Drummond would just as soon test free agency. Will the Pistons be a new-look team next season?
Let's see if Drummond can't be a new-look player in this one.