NBA teams
ESPN News Services 4y

Cavaliers acquire Pistons' Andre Drummond for 2 players, pick

NBA, Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons

The Cleveland Cavaliers have acquired Andre Drummond, the league's top rebounder, from the Detroit Pistons.

Drummond is a two-time All-Star but has an opt-out in his contract for next season. The Pistons had been shopping him, believing he would become a free agent and they would lose him.

After news of the deal broke Thursday, he tweeted that he's learned "there's no friends or loyalty" in the NBA and he wasn't given a "heads up" about the deal.

Because of Drummond's contract status, the Pistons didn't get a huge haul in return, with Cleveland sending them John Henson, Brandon Knight and a second-round draft pick in 2023 -- the lesser pick of Golden State or Cleveland.

The Pistons also waived guard Tim Frazier.

Drummond, 26, is averaging a career-best 17.8 points to go with his 15.8 rebounds per game. He led the league in rebounding in three of the four previous seasons.

He was the ninth overall pick in the 2012 draft by the Pistons.

Henson had been injured during much of his stay with Cleveland. He joined the Cavs last season after being traded from Milwaukee.

Knight had an expiring contract and his role had been severely reduced with Cleveland turning toward Collin Sexton and Darius Garland as the foundation for its future.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

^ Back to Top ^