The Philadelphia 76ers have some major decisions to make the moment free agency officially opens, and one particular front that will be worth monitoring is their situation with Andre Drummond. The veteran big man will be hitting the open market anew this summer, and it remains to be seen whether the team is interested in bringing him back for another go-round.
That appears to be the previous status quo, though. Now, it seems like the 76ers have quietly made up their minds about the former All-Star's fate this offseason. Bob Myers, who is aiding the front office in making decisions this time around, as recently asked about the points of emphasis for them in free agency, and one department he singled out was defensive rebounding –– Drummond's calling card since he step foot in the NBA.
Drummond, who had just wrapped up his 14th year in the league this season, ended up bouncing back in this campaign after a disappointing performance last year. While there were marked declines in his game (specifically as a finisher in the paint and a rim deterrent), he managed to install some a new dimension to his offering with his newfound three-point stroke. Having said that, his best trait has not wavered as his rebounding was still easily the best on the roster.
The 76ers seem poised to bring back Andre Drummond in free agency
If it is defensive rebounding that the 76ers want, then keeping Drummond is a no-brainer. First off, he will not be commanding a hefty price tag at this point in his career. But most importantly, he remains an elite board-crasher.
This season, Drummond ranked second in the league in rebounds per 36 minutes. His defensive rebounding was likewise impressive, as he ranked sixth among all players in that regard using the same calibration.
With Philly ranking 26th in defensive rebounding rate and just 18th in defensive boards per outing, there is clearly a lot of merit in re-signing Drummond to another contract. That is independent of the fact that the team is in dire need of playable bodies at the center position given the temperamental condition of Joel Embiid.
Without a shadow of doubt, the 76ers still have a clear-cut need for someone like Andre Drummond. Fortunately, it appears that the front office mirrors the same sentiment, which is basically a categorical imperative given that their rebounding woes have not gone away even with him in the fold. Heck, one can only imagine how ghastly the numbers would have looked like had he not been a part of the roster in the first place.
