Four-Time Rebounding Leader Picks Up His Option to Remain with 76ers

This past season, the Philadelphia 76ers struggled to meet the high expectations many put on them, as they finished 13th in the Eastern Conference with a 24-58 record. A big reason why is that their star center in February, Joel Embiid, was sidelined for the remainder of the season with a left knee injury. Also, all-star guard Tyrese Maxey struggled with injuries as well. Another Sixer that struggled with injuries was backup center Andre Drummond, who missed the last 17 games with a toe injury. Even though he struggled with injuries, and at the age of 31, Drummond still proved he’s one of the league's best rebounders. The four-time rebounding leader has questioned whether he will return to the 76ers with his five-million-dollar player option or opt out, as he can still be a critical asset to a championship-caliber team. Today, it was announced that the two-time all-star center has picked up his five-million-dollar player option for next season.

Drummond has played with six different teams throughout his 13-year career. During the 2012 NBA Draft, he was selected by the Detroit Pistons as the ninth overall pick. The two-time all-star spent seven and a half years in Detroit, and then he was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers. He spent the rest of the 2019-2020 NBA season in Cleveland before signing a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Lakers. Midway through the 2020-2021 season, Drummond was traded once again, this time to the Philadelphia 76ers, becoming the backup for once-rival center Embiid. The four-time rebounding leader signed a one-year deal with the Sixers in the offseason but was traded for a third time, now to the Brooklyn Nets. During the 2022 offseason, the Bulls signed the two-time All-Star center to a two-year deal. Two seasons later, Drummond signed a deal to return to the 76ers on a two-year, $10 million deal. 

This past season, Drummond played in 40 games, starting in 23. In 19 minutes a game, he averaged seven points, eight rebounds, an assist, and a steal a game. On March 3rd, during a 119-102 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers, the four-time rebounding leader recorded 25 points, 18 rebounds, an assist, and two steals. The two-time all-star center picked up 10 or more rebounds 11 times this season, still showing the same grit he had during his early days in Detroit. With the 76ers, Drummond looks to be a key piece in helping this team make the playoffs and be a contender.