Before the 2019-2020 NBA season started, the Detroit Pistons won their last seven games against the Chicago Bulls.
Well, the tables have turned.
After all a 119-107 loss at Little Ceasars Arena last night, the Pistons are now 0-3 this season against Bulls; losing a fourth straight game in the process. With the team currently sitting at 11-19 on the season, it’s time for the Pistons to make some immediate decisions about the future. Logically, there is only one option.
It’s time to “blow up” the team and trade All-Star center Andre Drummond.
Drummond is having a phenomenal year. So far, he is averaging per game career-highs in points (17.7), rebounds (16.4), steals (2), and his free throw percentage (61.8). To go along with his career-high numbers, he’s also the league-leading rebounder, and third in the league in steals per game. Based on this, one could surmise that he’s playing like one of the best centers in the NBA.
In 2016, Drummond signed a five-year, $127.2 million deal, with a $28.75 million player option for the 2020-2021 season. Many reports expect Drummond to decline his player option in order to get a huge payday. Drummond and his representatives have reportedly requested extension talks with the Pistons, but nothing has been decided just yet.
With no talks of a contract extension on the table, the Pistons could be in danger of Drummond opting out of his deal to sign with another team and the Pistons receiving nothing of value in return; similar to years ago when guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope left the team in free agency.
In the 30 games played this season, the Pistons have dealt with a string of injuries. Guard Reggie Jackson hasn’t played since the second game. Blake Griffin began this season the same way he ended last season: injured and on the sideline. He’s missed the last two games with a lower leg injury; having played only 15 games this season so far. Additionally (and more recently), backup center Christian Wood will be sidelined for a least a week (or longer) with a left knee bone bruise.
With their last loss to the Bulls dropping them to 11th in the Eastern Conference, changes must be made.
Pistons head coach Dwane Casey is doing the best job he can with the injury-riddled roster he has, and even if the Pistons make the playoffs still, the team is in bad shape long term. There is no telling what kind of Blake Griffin the team will get (if and when he returns). Furthermore, there doesn’t seem to be a clear plan in place in what direction the organization is going.
Drummond is a an old-school “traditional” type center. In today’s NBA, his skill set is not common as NBA bigs have now added perimeter skills into the repertoire; something Drummond has struggled with. Unless the Pistons can swing a miracle trade to unload Griffin’s absurd contract while surrounding Drummond with adequate shooters, the two-time NBA All-Star days in Detroit SHOULD be coming to an end.
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