Andre Drummond Says There's 'No Friends or Loyalty' in NBA After Trade to Cavs
Andre Drummond learned the hard way the NBA is a business after the Detroit Pistons sent him to the Cleveland Cavaliers ahead of Thursday's NBA trade deadline.
The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor reported the Cavs acquired Drummond for Brandon Knight, John Henson and a second-round pick.
Drummond reacted to the deal shortly after reports surfaced, tweeting, "If there's one thing I learned about the NBA, there's no friends or loyalty":
Drummond's now-former teammate can attest to how quickly loyalty is thrown out the window in the name of making a business decision.
The Los Angeles Clippers built Blake Griffin a makeshift museum to entice him into staying during the 2017 offseason. Months after he signed a five-year, $171 million super-max extension, the Clippers traded Griffin to the Pistons.
Going to Cleveland is probably another source of frustration for Drummond. Rather than moving to a contender, he's joining the last-place team in the Eastern Conference.
The Cavs are unlikely to be much closer to playoff contention should Drummond exercise his $28.8 million player option for 2020-21. Tristan Thompson is a free agent this summer, and Cleveland will presumably revisit a possible Kevin Love trade. The Athletic's Shams Charania and Vardon reported in January that Love was frustrated with the team's direction.
Drummond should channel whatever anger he might feel toward the Pistons into his on-court performance. The 26-year-old has the chance to play himself into a nice payday this offseason or in 2021 should he opt in with the Cavs.
