Brandon Bass and Andre Drummond battle for a rebound in April of 2013. Credit: Getty Images
If the Celtics are to part with their best remaining player, point guard Rajon Rondo, it would likely take a Godfather offer from the Detroit Pistons. The Marlon Brando in this deal? Pistons center Andre Drummond.
The Boston Globe reported over the weekend that the Pistons are offering point guard Brandon Knight, the eighth overall pick from the 2011 draft, and an expiring contract to the Celtics in exchange for Rondo. That will not likely cut it for C’s president of basketball ops Danny Ainge, who has repeatedly said that he is not looking to trade No. 9.
Drummond, the ninth overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, had a tremendous rookie season for Detroit and could be a year-in and year-out All-Star caliber player.The big man out of UConn averaged 7.9 points and 7.6 assists in his first NBA season, continually showing flashes of brilliance. The Pistons are top-heavy in the front court as they also have stud center Greg Monroe (16.0 ppg, 9.6 rpg) manning the paint.
With Ainge coveting first round picks in the Celtics’ rebuilding efforts, the Pistons do not have an immediate one to relinquish. The Charlotte Bobcats have a choice of Pistons draft picks over the next four seasons thanks to a deal that landed Ben Gordon in Charlotte.
On a Pistons blog, NeedforSheed.com, fans are firmly against trading Drummond in exchange for Rondo as 74 percent replied “Are you crazy?” and 20 percent replied “No” when asked if they would give up Drummond to the Celtics.
