Andre Drummond
Age: 22
Height: 6-foot-11
Career stats: 29.7 mpg; 13.2 ppg, 12.6 rpg, 0.6 apg, 1.2 spg, 1.6 bpg; 55.3/25.0/38.0 shooting splits
2015-16 stats: 81 games, 32.9 mpg; 16.2 ppg, 14.8 rpg, 0.8 apg, 1.5 spg, 1.4 bpg; 52.1/33.3/35.5 shooting splits
Strengths:
• Rebounding
• Athleticism
• Durability (2 games missed the last 3 years)
Weaknesses:
• Shooting
• Free throws
• Foul trouble
Why the Warriors make sense:
It’s no secret that after drafting Damion Jones with the 30th pick of the draft, the Warriors are looking for new blood in the frontcourt. Bogut’s injury-related absence in the final three games of the Finals was significant, and Drummond could draw a long look from the Finals’ runner-ups. He makes sense for a couple reasons: first, his burgeoning scoring game offers the Warriors a new offensive dimension. While he’s struggled with converting shots efficiently near the basket during the last two years, his 16-point average is far beyond Bogut or Ezeli’s scoring ability. He is an athletic freak, and uses his tools to virtually inhale rebounds (14.8 per game last season) and collect both steals and blocks at above average rates. It’s scary to think about how good the Warriors could be with an offensive, athletically dominant, healthy center?
Why the Warriors don’t make sense:
Drummond doesn’t really fit into the Warriors’ play style and he doesn’t conform to the archetype player that the Warriors often target: forwards with passing ability and defensive chops. Drummond is certainly still maturing as a player and is only 22 years old. But he hasn’t shown much affinity for passing and playing as part of a motion system. His field goal percentage needs to improve for him to become a true offensive force. Detroit is building around him as if he was the second coming of Stan Van Gundy’s last superstar: Dwight Howard. There’s almost no chance that the Warriors lure him away from his first team as Detroit figures to send a huge pay day Drummond’s way.