6. Andre Drummond
Drummond is well past his All-Star days in Detroit. He remains an elite rebounder and has embraced being a backup big man in recent years.
Drummond was waived by the Cavaliers in March of 2021 and signed in Los Angeles. The Lakers had Marc Gasol and Montrezl Harrell to compete for minutes, but Drummond was their starter. He was not a star, but the 6’11 big man played a crucial role. The Lakers were bounced by the Suns in the first round of the playoffs, and Drummond left in free agency.
He was not shy in discussing the differences in pressure and expectations being a Laker. Fans hold players to a high standard, and Drummond noticed during his brief stint in Hollywood.
The 30-year-old has played for three different teams in the three years since leaving the Lakers. He is currently backing up Nikola Vucevic in Chicago but could be on the move before Feb. 8.
Verdict: The Bulls could be deadline sellers with their entire roster available. Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan will draw the headlines, but Drummond’s rebounding helps a contender. Los Angeles will play Anthony Davis at the five for the majority of the postseason, so the Lakers should be focused on adding someone who will have a larger impact when the games matter most.