Charlotte Hornets: What trading for Andre Drummond would accomplish
With the Charlotte Hornets struggling to defend the paint, there is one player who could significantly help the team in this area.
Throughout this season, the Charlotte Hornets have struggled with defending the interior. With this low-quality defense, a single trade would help the Hornets fix their paint defense.
With the team’s poor defense, a trade for Andre Drummond might not be a bad idea. In November, Sean Deveney of Heavy.com reported that the team is still interested in Drummond.
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Drummond is a player who’s easily having the best season of his career. He’s currently averaging 17.1 points, 17.1 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game.
Through twenty-one games, the Hornets are currently the 28th ranked team in points allowed in the paint per game with 52.6. The Hornets also only average 31.0 defensive rebounds per game, which deems Charlotte the worst defensive rebounding team in the league.
With these numbers, the Hornets also have a defensive rating of 114.4, which makes them the 27th worst defensive team in the league. Many of the team’s defensive struggles are the main reason why the Hornets sit with a record of 8-13.
However, trading for Drummond would solve both of these issues, as he is currently averaging a career-high in rebounds per game with 17.1. Currently, the best rebounder on the Hornets is Cody Zeller, who’s averaging 7.9 total rebounds per game.
While many have assumed that the Hornets are in a rebuilding season, it seems that the team is trying its hardest not to lose. The offense is there for the Hornets, but the defense is what’s causing the team to struggle.
Drummond’s defense is impressive, but his offense is also another factor that would immensely help the Hornets. He’s averaging the best shooting percentage of his career since his second year in the league.
Andre Drummond is currently shooting 55% from the field, while also averaging his best shooting percentage from the free-throw line with 64%. A dominant interior force would take the Hornets to the next level, and would surely give Terry Rozier and Devonte’ Graham more room to work with.
light. Related Story. Charlotte Hornets: 3 trade proposals for Andre Drummond
Drummond is set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2019-20 season if he does not accept his player option. While Drummond could continue playing with the Detroit Pistons, it seems that he’s leaning more toward becoming a free agent.
Nothing is set yet, but Deveney of Heavy.com made sure to point out that Drummond is a priority for the Hornets in free agency. Whether the Hornets will trade for him or sign him in free agency is unknown.
If Charlotte decides to make a trade, they may be able to dump expiring contracts so they can afford Drummond. The only way the Hornets will trade for Drummond is if it’s very close to the trade deadline so that the team can remain competitive.
The Hornets have beaten the Pistons three times this season, and I know Drummond does not want to lose to them again in February. The Hornets are barely hanging on to a playoff race, but Drummond could change everything.
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The NBA trade deadline is set to occur Feb. 7th, 2020, at 12:30 AM. The Hornets have a lot of time to think about trading for Drummond, and the Hornets will not play the Pistons again until February 10th.