NBA rumors: Andre Drummond planning to leave Bulls in free agency
06/16/2024 04:03 PM
Head coach Billy Donovan and the Chicago Bulls are currently in the midst of what figures to be somewhat of a crossroads of an offseason as for the future direction of the franchise. The Bulls suffered through yet another year of mediocrity this past season that resulted in, stop if you’ve heard this before, a play-in game loss to the Miami Heat, and there have been growing calls for Donovan to potentially hit the hot seat if the struggles continue into the coming 2024-25 NBA season.
The Bulls’ biggest problem is that not only do they not have a competitive roster in the modern NBA, but the majority of their roster is on the downside of their career, meaning there isn’t a ton to look forward to as it pertains to the future.
Recently, the Bulls were awarded the 11th overall pick in the upcoming 2024 NBA Draft (ironically, the team they beat in the first play-in game, the Atlanta Hawks, somehow got number one), and it seems that in addition to making this pick, the team will also have to navigate some potential free agency departures in this offseason, if the latest reports are any indication.
“What remains to be seen… is what direction do the Bulls go? Do they prepare for DeMar DeRozan possibly leaving in free agency or if he does return — the more likely scenario — draft his heir apparent at the small forward position?” reported NBA insider Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times. “Do they grab a big to replace the expected vacancy with Andre Drummond looking for a new team, as well as some youth to push starter Nikola Vucevic?”
What will the Andre Drummond market look like?
Although Drummond is not the force he once was with the Detroit Pistons, the big man is still one of the best pure rebounders in the NBA today.
Last offseason, Drummond signed for a minimum contract for the Bulls, and at one point last summer, Drummond called himself out for his own demeanor and attitude being reasons why he wasn’t able to get more money.
“To be pouting on the bench, making faces, not cheering your f*cking teammates on… I was that guy… I went from $100 million to a f*cking league minimum,” said Drummond, via his account on X, the social media platform formerly referred to as Twitter.
Of course, a league minimum NBA contract is still more money than 99.9 percent of the world population will see in their lifetime, but it was still a quick fall from grace from what used to be one of the game’s most promising young centers.
However, Drummond showed a better attitude and adjusted quickly to his role off of the bench for the Bulls this season, putting together several strong performances and now finding himself likely to have several suitors on the free agent market this offseason, probably for a good bit more than the minimum.
In any case, free agency is set to begin in early July following the NBA Draft later this month.
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