Andre Drummond: Latest News, Rumors and Speculation on Free-Agent Center

Restricted free-agent center Andre Drummond is reportedly close to re-signing with the Detroit Pistons.Continue for updates.Drummond, Pistons Closing In On Long-Term ExtensionFriday, July 1Marc Stein of ESPN reported early Friday that the sides are working toward an agreement that would result in the post player receiving a five-year max contract worth around $130 million.Drummond is coming off a campaign that saw him average 16.2 points, 14.8 rebounds and 1.4 blocks across 81 games for Detroit. He ranked 12th among centers in Player Efficiency Rating for the franchise that drafted him ninth overall in 2012, according toESPN.com.Although he's got limited offensive range, he's one of the best players in the league around the rim, allowing him to pick up plenty of second-chance points. Synergy Sports Tech provided numbers further illustrating that often overlooked aspect of his game:Sticking with the Pistons as expected should allow him to remain a focal point within Stan Van Gundy's system. The Detroit head coach stated in May that he'll be looking for the 22-year-old center to make a bigger impact on the defensive end, as relayed byZach Loweof ESPN:He's gotta protect the rim better. He's pretty good on pick-and-rolls, and can get better. But he's got to protect the rim and challenge shots betterwhether it's blocking shots, or using the verticality to get up and be tougher. The numbers bear it out. The eyeball test, too. For his athletic ability, he's not there yet in terms of protecting the rim.Even though seeing Drummond leave Detroit this offseason would have been a major surprise, the potential for an offer sheet is always there until an extension is signed. Keeping him in the fold for the long term is certainly the right move, despite the high price tag.As Van Gundy explained, the UConn product is still a work in progress. His raw numbers in terms of points and rebounds are already strong for a player his age, but he's got a lot of growth potential in terms of adding more offensive variety and becoming a true impact defender.It's important to note the contract extension must still get finalized. That said, it sounds like the Pistons are close to accomplishing one of the biggest things on their offseason to-do list.
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