Mavs, 76ers Favorites for Andre Drummond Trade After Celtics Deal?
NEW YORK CITY — The Dallas Mavericks haven't yet completed a deal before the midseason trade deadline but remain a team to watch. The team stands at 27-23 entering Wednesday's matchup against the New York Knicks, facing the need to add more talent around Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.
The Mavs have been widely reported as interested in many different wings, but the backup center position is another to monitor. According to NBA insider Marc Stein, Dallas is among teams such as the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers that have been linked to Chicago Bulls center Andre Drummond.
"The 76ers, I'm told, have indeed registered interest Chicago's Andre Drummond, joining the likes of Boston and Dallas. Drummond is widely regarded as the Most Likely Bull To Be Traded this week after literally months of trade speculation in the Windy City. Philadelphia obviously has an immediate need for reinforcements on its frontline with Joel Embiid sidelined indefinitely by a meniscus injury in his left knee."
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Drummond has averaged 8.5 rebounds, 7.9 points, and 1.1 steals in 51 games. When filling in for Nikola Vucevic, Drummond's production has skyrocketed, averaging 17.3 rebounds, 14.3 points, and 1.8 blocks in eight games as a starter this season.
The Celtics have since traded for Xavier Tillman to address that backup center role using two second-round picks, making the Mavs and Sixers more of a focus to keep an eye on for a backup center. After Joel Embiid's injury, Philadelphia has a greater need to address this need and has been linked by ESPN's Brian Windhorst to Utah Jazz center Kelly Olynyk.
The Mavs were strongly linked to Drummond before he ultimately decided to return to the Bulls in free agency. Considering Zach LaVine's season-ending injury, Chicago is positioned as a likely seller to gain assets.
Maxi Kleber is valued as a stretch-five for the Mavs, often starting while Dereck Lively II has been sidelined due to a nasal fracture. However, he's struggled to stay healthy over the past two seasons. Dallas has struggled to rebound effectively during this span, with Dwight Powell playing an important role.
