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How Will the Brooklyn Nets Benefit By Bringing in Cavaliers’ Andre Drummond?

Published 03/10/2021, 11:23 AM EST

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USA Today via Reuters

Brooklyn Nets have been one of the busiest teams in the NBA this season. Earlier they pulled off a massive trade by bringing in James Harden, and recently added another solid player in Blake Griffin.

Although Griffin might be past his prime, the 32-year-old is primarily an addition to the depleted front-court of the Nets. He will reportedly will be a small-ball center in the second lineup.

The Nets are not done, however. According to latest reports, the Nets are interested in Cleveland Cavaliers’ center Andre Drummond, if he is available in the buyout market.

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But what does the 6’10” center add to the Nets?

Elite rebounding

The Nets are clearly lacking size in their front-court. After trading a great young center in Jarrett Allen, the Nets haven’t added a significant center to their roster. While Jeff Green and Bruce Brown have worked fine as small ball centers, their lack of size hasn’t helped the Nets to grab multiple rebounds in the game.

Prior to Harden’s trade, the Nets were the 11th best team in terms of in-game rebounding. Ever since Harden’s trade, the Nets have slipped to the bottom half in terms of rebounds, ranking 19th in the league.

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Drummond will certainly be a big upgrade in this department. The 27-year-old has averaged a 14.6 points and 13.8 rebounds double-double in the 624 games he has played.

With the 2-time All-Star, the Brooklyn Nets will certainly be able to have more rebounds, resulting in fewer second opportunities for the opposition.

Decent defender in the paint

Given his massive 6’10” frame, it is not a surprise that Andre Drummond is a good defender. Given that he is only 27-years-old, he is entering his prime right now and is a quick and agile center.

USA Today via Reuters

He is certainly a bigger upgrade to a player like DeAndre Jordan, who has deteriorated this season. Drummond has averaged 1.5 blocks and 1.4 steals per game and even had led the Cavs to the second best defense until January.

His size and athleticism are a huge plus, and his addition will be a huge upgrade in terms of defending for the Nets.

Adds to the lethal Brooklyn Nets’ offense

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Andre Drummond might be a player with a limited arsenal in the offensive end, but he is great with his limited skill-set. In the Cavs, the 27-year-old saw a significant jump in his production, averaging 17.5 points, 13.5 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game.

He certainly was given the ball multiple times in the Cavs, but that might not be the case with Nets. Despite that, Drummond’s lethal pick and roll game can be a destructive way to break down opposition’s defense.

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Considering the ruthlessness of the trio of James Harden, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant, the 27-year-old will be rarely double teamed in the paint, opening up an opportunity for easy buckets. His physicality and speed will be a big plus and certainly an upgrade on a veteran center like DeAndre Jordan.

Drummond might be the perfect piece for the Nets’ frontcourt. Can the Nets pull off another amazing signing before the deadline?

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Written by:

Aditya Mohapatra

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Aditya Mohapatra is a sports enthusiast who primarily covers the NBA for EssentiallySports. Having graduated in Mass Communication, he has prior experience in writing for ABP News, and has been writing for EssentiallySports since November 2020. This die-hard Los Angeles Lakers fan feels that LeBron James is the best thing to have ever happened to the NBA, and will hold a healthy debate with anyone suggesting otherwise.
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