10:34 A.M. (EASTERN TIME).
- Adrian Wojnarowski
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Senior NBA Insider
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- Master Howl Under
- At ESPN since 2017
- Brian Windhorst.
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ESPN Editor-in-Chief
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- NBA editor for ESPN.com since 2010
- He covered the Cleveland Caves for seven years.
- Author of two books
The Cleveland Cavaliers no longer plan to let Andre Drummond play as they strive to acquire the two-time All-Star center before the NBA deadline of 25. Mars for sale, sources told ESPN.
The Riders are making Jarrett Allen the starting center for the franchise long-term and feel it is unfair that Mr. Drummond has limited his minutes because of the organization’s move to Allen, according to some sources.
The Cavaliers’ general manager, Koby Altman, discussed the move with Drummond and his agent, Jeff Schwartz of Excel Sports, and together they decided that Drummond would remain on the team but would no longer actively participate in games, according to some sources.
Cleveland is beginning to evaluate the commercial market, but there are no serious talks with a team yet, sources told ESPN.
Drummond did not participate in Sunday night’s loss against the Cavaliers in Los Angeles, and that will continue Monday against the Golden State Warriors and beyond. The Cavs said Drummond missed Sunday’s game to rest and came to the game in a hooded sweatshirt to say goodbye to the front.
Andre Drummond wore a hoodie with the word Goodbye on it at the Los Angeles game on Sunday. He did not play in the Cavs’ 128-111 loss to the Clippers. Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images
Mr. Schwartz, who was contacted Monday morning, could neither confirm nor deny the decision, but told ESPN: Whatever direction he takes, André is 27 years old, at the top of his career, and I am convinced he can help the team build up for the post-season.
Drummond plays for $28.7 million with an expiring contract, which is really challenging. This season, he averaged 17.5 points and 13.5 rebounds in 25 appearances. According to some sources, several teams are interested in the 6-foot-2 man.
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The Riders need $23 million in contracts to run the Drummond business.
Sources have indicated that there has been no talk of a buyout that would allow Mr. Drummond to become a free agent.
Drummond’s future with the Cavs was overshadowed last month when Cleveland traded the 22-year-old Allen, who has become the center of the franchise’s future. Drummond will be an unrestricted free agent after the season and Allen will be an unrestricted free agent.
Allen played well in 15 games with the Cavs, averaging 13.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.7 blocks. Cleveland coach JB Bickerstaff recently put Allen in the starting lineup.
The experiment with Drummond and Allen failed and the Cavs were swept into a slump that included their current seven-game losing streak. Kevin Love, who has been out since December with a calf injury, is expected to return this week, further limiting the Cavs’ crowd minutes.
Bobby Marks of ESPN contributed to this report.
