REPORT: Pistons May Still Trade Andre Drummond, But Expectations in Return are Lowered

Andre Drummond has been one of the staple names in the NBA trade discussions this season, but the clock is ticking down quickly. The NBA trade deadline is getting nearer and nearer, and getting the Pistons center out of Motown may not happen at all - but the door is not closed.
ESPN's Zach Lowe reports that Detroit has not given up hope in trading Drummond, but it will be very challenging. The $28.7 million player option that Drummond possesses is "cooling the market" according to Lowe. Atlanta reportedly pulled out of talks for Drummond a few weeks ago, shifting their attention to Clint Capela of Houston and Steven Adams of Oklahoma City.
For an All-Star caliber center, Detroit rightfully desired at least a first-round pick or young asset for Drummond. But teams seem less willing to allocate funds or lose assets for a center, especially one who does not stretch the floor and has motor issues. Given that, the market has been cooling for several weeks.
Detroit has been waffling with the idea of tanking, but cannot quite fully commit. With Blake Griffin and his massive contract still lingering on the roster, it makes little sense to rebuild knowing there is a superstar waiting in the wing. But it may be the best course of action, as Griffin has a history of knee problems and relies on athelticism to separate himself. Detroit would be relying on those physical tools coming back, which is risky. Moving Drummond could signal a rebuild or a retooling, it does not go one way or the other. But the Pistons have been getting calls about some other players for trades.
Lowe also reports that teams have inquired about resurgent backup center Christian Wood and young wing Svi Mykhailiuk. Trading Wood seems more likely of the two to happen given his impending free agency, per Lowe, but anything with Mykhailiuk seems unlikely. The Pistons hold a team option for him next season and the former Kansas Jayhawk has been shooting the ball well (42.5% from 3-point territory).
The Pistons should be able to get a second-round pick for Markeiff Morris, according to Lowe. Morris has reportedly garnered quite a bit of interest of several teams.
With the trade deadline fast-approaching, Detroit figures to be one of the more active teams. The discussions surrounding Derrick Rose have been quelled of late, but desperate teams do desperate things and injuries play a factor too. It is becoming increasingly unlikely that a Drummond trade happens, but Detroit is holding out hope.
For more talk on the trade deadline for Detroit, check out the Palace of Pistons podcast here.
(Featured Image by Carlos Osorio/Associated Press)