Boston Celtics Rumors: Andre Drummond an unrealistic pipe dream

Detroit Pistons big man Andre Drummond is on the trade block and the Boston Celtics are one of a few teams rumored to have shown interest.

What would propel the Boston Celtics into a favorite in the Eastern Conference and a legitimate NBA title contender?

A big man like Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond.

As rumors have surfaced that the two-time All-Star is on the trade block, the Celtics have risen as one of three contending teams to show interest in Drummond, who will be an unrestricted free agent after the season ends.

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The other teams rumored to have shown preliminary interest are the Dallas Mavericks, Toronto Raptors and the Atlanta Hawks have been thrown in there.

Before we get into what the Celtics will have to give up adding a big man like Drummond, let’s first dream.

Say, Danny Ainge finds a way to lore the Pistons into sending Drummond to Boston without giving up Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum and/or Marcus Smart.

Adding a big man who is averaging 17.6 points, 15.8 rebounds and 2.7 assists to go along with 1.8 blocks per game this season to a lineup of Kemba Walker, Marcus Smart, Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum would be arguably the best starting five in all the NBA.

Not only would Andre Drummond add rim protection, he could match up against a Joel Embiid or Anthony Davis.  He would also make life tougher for Giannis Antetokounmpo driving to the hoop.

Besides, perhaps, a deal for Minnesota Timberwolves disgruntled star Karl-Anthony Towns, Drummond is the next best big man that would be available and obtainable, especially given the fact that he would essentially be a rental for whichever team is able to pull off a deal.

Let’s play Danny Ainge

Notice I left out Gordon Hayward in this scenario.

To match salaries and due to the potential of Hayward opting out following this season, a swap of the two stars would make the most sense.

Draft picks and some smaller salaries would have to be included to make the money work, but if Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge believes the 26-year-old Andre Drummond will put his team over the top, he will pull the trigger on a deal centering around Hayward.

The issue there is I can’t see the Detroit Pistons wanting Gordon Hayward unless a third team was involved who could use his services and instead the Pistons received young talents along with the draft picks the Celtics still have.

In all reality, the Pistons would want Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum and/or Marcus Smart.  Again, due to Drummond being on the last year of his $28 million contract, Detroit may have to settle to get what they can get like the Indiana Pacers with the Paul George situation.

Unless the Pistons do get desperate and take on Gordon Hayward to get a couple young players not named Jaylen Brown or Jayson Tatum from the Celtics along with draft capital, this is a very unrealistic pipe dream of a deal.

With the Boston Celtics currently getting good center play from the combination of Daniel Theis and Enes Kanter, Ainge doesn’t have to gut his team for a player he may not be able to re-sign.

There are and will be options out there as the NBA Draft Deadline approaches and passes.  Ainge and Celtics fans just have to wait it out.  A big man is necessary to get deep in the playoffs, but that big man doesn’t have to be as costly.

Kemba Walker, Marcus Smart, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum and Andre Drummond.  Oh man, would that be a dream lineup.