NFLNBAMLBNHLWNBASoccerGolf
Featured Video
What Should LBJ Do Next? 👑
AUBURN HILLS, MI - APRIL 24:  Andre Drummond #0 of the Detroit Pistons warms up for Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2016 NBA Playoffs on  April 24, 2016 at The Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
AUBURN HILLS, MI - APRIL 24: Andre Drummond #0 of the Detroit Pistons warms up for Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2016 NBA Playoffs on April 24, 2016 at The Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)Nathaniel S. Butler/Getty Images

Andre Drummond, Pistons Reportedly Agree on 5-Year Contract

Tim DanielsJul 1, 2016

Restricted free-agent center Andre Drummond has reportedly agreed to a five-year max contract worth $130 million with the Detroit Pistons, according to Marc Stein of ESPN. 

Stein reported early Friday that the sides were working towards such an agreement. 

Drummond is coming off a campaign that saw him average 16.2 points, 14.8 rebounds and 1.4 blocks across 81 games for Detroit. He ranked 12th among centers in Player Efficiency Rating for the franchise that drafted him ninth overall in 2012, according to ESPN.com.

TOP NEWS

With Jayson Tatum sidelined, Celtics' fourth-quarter comeback falls short in Game 7 loss to 76ers
DENVER NUGGETS VS GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS, NBA

Although he has limited offensive range, he's one of the best players in the league around the rim, allowing him to pick up plenty of second-chance points. Synergy Sports Tech provided numbers further illustrating that often overlooked aspect of his game:

Sticking with the Pistons as expected should allow him to remain a focal point within head coach Stan Van Gundy's system. The Detroit coach stated in May that he'll be looking for the 22-year-old center to make a bigger impact on the defensive end, as relayed by Zach Lowe of ESPN:

"

He's gotta protect the rim better. He's pretty good on pick-and-rolls, and can get better. But he's got to protect the rim and challenge shots better—whether it's blocking shots, or using the verticality to get up and be tougher. The numbers bear it out. The eyeball test, too. For his athletic ability, he's not there yet in terms of protecting the rim.

"

Even though seeing Drummond leave Detroit this offseason would have been a major surprise, the potential for an offer sheet is always there until an extension is signed. Keeping him in the fold for the long term is certainly the right move, despite the high price tag.

As Van Gundy explained, the UConn product is still a work in progress. His raw numbers in terms of points and rebounds are already strong for a player his age, but he's got a lot of growth potential in terms of adding more offensive variety and becoming a true impact defender.

What Should LBJ Do Next? 👑

TOP NEWS

With Jayson Tatum sidelined, Celtics' fourth-quarter comeback falls short in Game 7 loss to 76ers
DENVER NUGGETS VS GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS, NBA
Houston Rockets v Los Angeles Lakers - Game Five
Milwaukee Bucks v Boston Celtics

TRENDING ON B/R