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The Toronto Raptors shouldn’t trade for Andre Drummond

By Mark Birdsell

TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 30: Fred VanVleet #23 and Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors react to a basket as Andre Drummond #0 of the Detroit Pistons looks on during the second half of an NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on October 30, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. 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. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 30: Fred VanVleet #23 and Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors react to a basket as Andre Drummond #0 of the Detroit Pistons looks on during the second half of an NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on October 30, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. 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. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /
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Toronto Raptors – Pascal Siakam (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

How a move would impact the Raptors’ future flexibility?

A move for Drummond is not just about this season, it is also about how it impacts the Raptors long-term.

Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer reported that the Raptors are willing to trade their 2020 first-round pick for the right trade. A package featuring an expiring contract and one future pick isn’t that burdensome if you believe Drummond can help your team long-term. However, any team that makes a move for him will do so with the intention of signing him to a new deal next summer.

It has been widely reported that the Raptors want to preserve their cap space for the summer of 2021 when Giannis Antetokounmpo can become a free agent. The salary cap is projected to increase to $125 million for the 2021-22 season. Based on those projections, Giannis will be eligible to sign a new contract starting at $37.5 million. In order to keep the books clean for Giannis, the Raptors need to avoid taking on any significant long-term salary.

Siakam just signed a four-year, $130 million contract extension. VanVleet is eligible for a new contract next summer. His next deal should start in the $18 to $20 million range. OG Anunoby is also eligible to receive a rookie-scale extension before the start of next season.

Drummond may not get a max contract offer. It has been suggested that he could receive an average salary of $20 to $25 million. If the Raptors were to ink Drummond to such a deal it would immediately take them out of the running for Giannis or any other impact player set to hit the open market two summers from now.

In all likelihood, Giannis signs the supermax when the Bucks offer it to him in July. Giannis has said he wants to stay in Milwaukee and there is no other place he wants to be. As unrealistic as a Giannis to Toronto pipe dreams may be, does it really make sense to eliminate all future flexibility by giving a massive contract to Drummond?

The Toronto Raptors are coming off their first title in franchise history. The team is a legitimate threat to come out of the Eastern Conference. However, even if they don’t it isn’t the end of the world.

Ujiri has wanted to rebuild since he first arrived in Toronto. He is playing with house money at this time. Drummond is a good player, entering the prime of his career. But there is no way Ujiri is going to throw it all away and lock himself into a mediocre team for the next half-decade.

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Ujiri and his staff have proven that they aren’t afraid to take a risk. Even if they miss out on Giannis there will be any number of contingency plans. But with the way the NBA has changed, I’d be shocked if any one of them includes handing Andre Drummond a big bag of cash just because there aren’t any other high-profile players available at this time.

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