The NBA commerce deadline is Thursday, and the Chicago Bulls face a priority: What ought to they do with Andre Drummond?
The middle signed a two-year, $6.56 million deal within the offseason to assist the Bulls across the rim. And when he has made his manner onto the court docket, Drummond has achieved simply that, averaging 18.7 rebounds per 36 minutes.
But Drummond’s taking part in time has dwindled severely with every passing month, dropping to solely 7.8 minutes per recreation in January. He was benched for 5 of the final 10 video games.
For the Bulls, it’s not a matter of Drummond’s effort or experience, it’s a problem of becoming right into a system.
“It’s not necessarily what Andre is or is not doing,” coach Billy Donovan stated. “I know he wants to be out there and I know he wants to be playing. But we want to try to find some consistency.”
Drummond, 29, began the season — his eleventh within the NBA — on a robust word, averaging 10.2 rebounds within the opening month. But even with backup ahead Javonte Green sidelined with a proper knee damage, Drummond has remained a tertiary participant.
Drummond has been stalwart as he sinks deeper within the rotation, emphasizing the significance of a team-first position to take care of his mentality by longer stretches on the bench.
“When you focus on the stuff you can’t control, that’s when you start getting into that dark place, and that’s something that I can’t control,” Drummond stated. ”It’s a part of the sport. The stuff I can management is being a great teammate, engaged on my recreation, staying in form and being ready when my quantity known as.”
After conserving Drummond on the bench for the whole thing of Saturday’s win towards the Orlando Magic, Donovan stated the difficulty comes all the way down to cementing a spot within the rotation.
Donovan most well-liked the look of Derrick Jones Jr. on the 5, which offered the Bulls with extra pace whereas sustaining a certain quantity of size. He cited a lineup that featured Jones on the 5 and Green on the 4 — the Bulls have a internet score 12.7 of their 65 minutes collectively on the ground this season — because the preferable secondary rotation regardless of Drummond’s superior rebounding.
“When DJ has been at the five — if you look at the numbers of that lineup — it’s just been really, really good for us,” Donovan stated.
Donovan continues to emphasise that Drummond’s time will come — though he’s undecided when that may happen.
Drummond on Thursday showcased his effectivity: He had 15 factors and 11 rebounds in 14 minutes, 44 seconds within the Bulls’ 114-98 victory towards the Charlotte Hornets on the United Center.
Clearly Drummond received’t be as profitable in some matchups, significantly towards smaller lineups that want to push the tempo and unfold out outsized facilities. But the Bulls additionally desperately want his presence on the boards — they rank twentieth in rebounding and are the third-worst group on the offensive boards.
Drummond may not have the ability to preserve tempo with each lineup — however he can also’t get rebounds if he’s sitting on the bench.
“At some point we’re going to need Andre’s skill set,” Donovan stated.
Whenever confronted with the query of his restricted taking part in time, Drummond emphasizes the identical three issues — staying prepared, remaining ready for his second and being a great teammate. But he received’t faux to be content material with the established order.
“I’m never OK with it,” Drummond stated. “At the end of the day I’m a basketball player. I want to play. But the circumstances I’m in, I have to work my way back to where I want to get to. There’s certain routes I have to take to get there.”
For a participant with Drummond’s stability of expertise and remaining years within the league, it wouldn’t be outlandish to submit a request for a commerce. But Drummond stated that isn’t an choice.
“Nah,” Drummond stated. “I like being here, man.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com