Andre Drummond: Best-Case Scenario for 2012 NBA Draft

One wrong move involving a first round selection in the NBA Draft could be what eventually costs an NBA general manager his job.  This means that whichever GM selects Andre Drummond in this month’s draft will likely need a spare shirt to change into after he sweats through his first one.

Drummond, a 6’11” center from the University of Connecticut, could develop into one of the best picks in the 2012 NBA Draft, and provide a team with a dominant frontcourt presence.

Or could his inconsistency on the offensive end eventually leave him, and the general manager that drafted him, looking for work?

But which team will be willing to look past the inconsistencies and allow Drummond’s potential to persuade them to use a lottery pick on drafting the talented center?

With the New Orleans Hornets seemingly locked in with Kentucky’s Anthony Davis with the first overall pick, and the Charlotte Bobcats potentially drafting his Wildcat teammate, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, the draft could become interesting for Drummond once the Washington Wizards go on the clock with the third overall pick.

But are they the best fit?

Drummond finished his freshman season at UConn averaging 10 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game.  His rebounding average was good enough for 10th in the Big East, while his blocking average placed him third in the conference.

The Wizards, meanwhile, finished in the lower half of the league in rebounds per game, but ranked second with 6.3 blocks per game.  Throw in the addition of Nene to the team’s frontcourt, and Washington may decide to go elsewhere with their pick.

The Cleveland Cavaliers and Sacramento Kings own the fourth and fifth picks, respectively, and could use help in their frontcourts.  However, for a team whose points per game average ranked 25th in the league last season, the Cavaliers may need a more consistent scorer to turn to with the fourth pick.  As for Sacramento, would a team that ranked a respectable 10th in the league in rebounding last season, and who has a player in DeMarcus Cousins who is similar in size, still decide to take Drummond?

Furthermore, would the Kings then, in turn, be a good fit for Drummond?

Drummond could find a role with the Kings, but the pairing may not be ideal.

Which brings up the Portland Trail Blazers.

The Trail Blazers finished with the sixth-lowest rebounding total in the league last season, and in the lower half in blocks per game.  The team also has LaMarcus Aldridge, who averaged 21.7 points and 8.0 rebounds per game last season, who could be paired with another presence in the frontcourt.

Enter Drummond?

Ahead of Aldridge, in terms of rebounding for the Blazers, is J.J. Hickson, a free agent-to-be.  In 19 games for the team last season, Hickson averaged 8.3 rebounds and just under a block per game.  After Aldridge and Hickson, Joel Przybilla had the next highest rebounding total.

Nicolas Batum is the only current member of the team who averaged over a block per game last season.

Unfortunately for Portland, they play in the same division as some of the highest scoring offenses in the league.  The Oklahoma City Thunder, Minnesota Timberwolves, Denver Nuggets and Utah Jazz all ranked in the top-10 in the league in scoring last season.  Which means Drummond’s offensive ability will have to catch up to his defensive performances in order for the team to improve.

Drummond had eight games last season in which he scored 15 points or more.  He did, however, have eight games in which he scored five points or fewer, as well.

However, the division is also home to players such as Serge Ibaka, Kendrick Perkins, Kevin Love, Kenneth Faried, Al Jefferson, Paul Millsap and Derrick Favors, who provide their respective teams with solid options in the frontcourt.

Although Portland could use their sixth pick in the draft to draft a more consistent player on offense, the potential combination of size and scoring could make Drummond difficult to let pass.

And as for Drummond, the former Husky’s best case scenario should include hearing his name called by the Trail Blazers.

With Aldridge and Drummond, the team could have two players capable of averaging a double-double for the season, while giving the team’s guards options down low.

After Przybilla and Kurt Thomas, Drummond could step in and provide the Trail Blazers with higher rebounding numbers while serving as a solid defensive presence.

If his offense finds consistency, new GM Neil Olshey could strike it big in his first draft with the team, while helping to end a streak of unsuccessful centers (Greg Oden, Hasheem Thabeet).

Whichever team selects Drummond will have to do so by basing their selection more on potential than proven performances, but the Trail Blazers could be the team that maximizes his potential.

For Drummond, being selected by Portland could be the best case scenario.