Sixers President ‘Thrilled’ About Key Reunion for Next Season

Philadelphia 76ers President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey released a statement on the Andre Drummond signing.
Apr 9, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls center Andre Drummond (3) warms up before the game against the New York Knicks at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 9, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls center Andre Drummond (3) warms up before the game against the New York Knicks at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports / David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

While the Philadelphia 76ers landed some new contributors through the free agency market, the team formed a key reunion as well.

On the first day of free agency, the Sixers agreed to terms with a familiar face in Andre Drummond.

On Saturday, the reunion became official, as Drummond inked his deal.

“I am thrilled that Andre is coming back to the 76ers,” said Philadelphia 76ers President of Basketball Operations, Daryl Morey. “A tremendous presence, and one of the best rebounders the modern NBA has seen, he made a great impact with us during his first stint in Philly and we know he’ll do the same this time around. Andre possesses an innate ability to attack the glass and will fortify our formidable front-court.”

When the Sixers signed Drummond for the first time in 2021, they looked forward to having a former All-Star big man back up Joel Embiid. For 49 games, many argued that Drummond served as the best backup center of the Embiid era. Unfortunately, the Sixers couldn’t see it through.

As Philly found a way to acquire the ten-time All-Star James Harden, while moving away from the disgruntled Ben Simmons, Drummond was included in the trade deadline deal to Brooklyn. He finished the 2021-2022 season with the Nets, before signing a two-year deal with the Chicago Bulls the following summer.

Drummond and the Sixers recognized they had unfinished business together. Multiple reports suggested the Sixers pursued Drummond on the trade market during the 2023-2024 season. While Chicago and Philly’s front office talked about a potential Drummond deal, nothing came to life.

A reunion will happen later than expected, but the Sixers look forward to having Drummond back in the building to serve as Embiid’s primary backup. When he last played for the Sixers, Drummond averaged six points and nine rebounds off the bench.


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Justin Grasso
JUSTIN GRASSO

Title: Credentialed writer/reporter covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s FanNation Email: JustinGrasso32@Gmail.com Location: Philadelphia, PA Expertise: Reporting, insight, and analysis on the Sixers and the NBA  Justin Grasso is a credentialed writer and publisher covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s FanNation.  Grasso got his start in sports media in 2016 with FantasyPros, working the news desk, providing game-by-game player analysis and updates on the Portland Trail Blazers and the Golden State Warriors. By 2017, he joined FanSided’s Philadelphia Eagles site as a staff writer. After spending one season covering the Eagles as a staff writer, Grasso was promoted to become the site’s Co-Editor. For the next two NFL seasons, he covered the Eagles closely before broadening his NFL coverage. For a brief stint, Grasso covered the NFL on a national basis after joining Heavy.com as an NFL news desk writer. In 2019, Grasso joined the 76ers' beat on a part-time basis, stepping into a role with South Jersey’s 97.3 ESPN. Ahead of the 2019-2020 NBA season, he concluded a three-year stint covering the Eagles and joined the Sixers beat full-time. Grasso has covered the 76ers exclusively since then for Sports Illustrated. He is a member of the Pro Basketball Writer’s Association.  Twitter: @JGrasso_ Instagram: @JGrassoNBA