In what seems to be the thing to do now (see LaMarcus Aldridge, Blake Griffin), Andre Drummond hasn’t suited up for the Cleveland Cavaliers since Feb. 12. On an expiring contract he’s an easy trade chip for the Cavaliers, with multiple possible suitors. A buyout is a lingering possibility.
Coming out of the All-Star break, the Phoenix Suns have the second-best record in the Western Conference (25-11). But behind Deandre Ayton, they could definitely use another big guy who’s a force around the basket. Frank Kaminsky and Dario Saric do not fit that bill.
A. Sherrod Blakely of Bleacher Report has cited rival executives in creating a list of moves some fringe contenders could make before the trade deadline.
Phoenix has been one of the NBA’s most surprising teams, but league executives believe the Suns are a big man away from being a legit threat in the West.
That’s why they anticipate the Suns will make a run at Cleveland’s Andre Drummond.
The Cavs left no doubt about Drummond’s availability when they shut him down in mid-February until a trade or buyout can be agreed upon. Drummond’s double-double potential is a no-brainer as to why many teams covet him. But it is his defensive presence and its impact on the team as a whole that appeal to the Suns.
Drummond is almost always good for a double-double, and that’s been no different this year (17.5 points and 13.5 points per game). But he has also made an impact on the defensive end. Surprisingly enough, via NBA.com, the Cavaliers are allowing a league-low 58.8 percent shooting in the restricted area this season. They are the only team allowing less than 60 percent shooting in that area of the floor, with Drummond as a key reason. Entering Saturday, the Suns are allowing 63.5 percent shooting in the restricted area (17th in the league). They have the ninth-best field goal defense in the league overall though (45.8 percent, according to Basketball Reference).
Phoenix also has the second-stingiest 3-point conversion rate against in the league (34.6 percent). The full picture shows they aren’t getting inundated from beyond the arc (32.5 attempts per game; tied for 24th in the league), while ceding the fourth-most mid-range attempts in the league (13.1, according to NBA.com). Still, that opponent conversion rate around the basket sticks out as a weakness.
If (when) Drummond is bought out, the Suns will surely remain down in the expected pecking order of destinations. But it’s possible he’d see an appealing spot in Phoenix. And players he’d like to play with (Devin Booker, Chris Paul).
