Less than two weeks after Andre Drummond was reportedly on the verge of a maximum contract extension with the Detroit Pistons, the team announced that negotiations between its star big man and front office personnel will be discontinued until next summer.
Pistons coach and chief decision-maker Stan Van Gundy informed assembled media of this surprising development on Tuesday afternoon.
Andre Drummond wants to delay contract talks until next summer, SVG says
— Keith Langlois (@Keith_Langlois) October 20, 2015
Though Drummond will now become a restricted free agent in July, Van Gundy says the 22-year-old’s potential desire to leave the Pistons is not what prompted his choice to end contract discussions. On the contrary, the delay of his imminent max-level salary gives Detroit additional flexibility on the open market next summer – a reality of which a gushing Van Gundy says Drummond is fully aware.
SVG says key to decision is Drummond's relationship with and trust in #Pistons owner Tom Gores
— Keith Langlois (@Keith_Langlois) October 20, 2015
SVG said the additional cap space created by Drummond's decision is $12.7 million
— Keith Langlois (@Keith_Langlois) October 20, 2015
SVG on @AndreDrummondd: "Andre wants to be here long term. He … wants us to have the flexibility to continue to add people to this team."
— Keith Langlois (@Keith_Langlois) October 20, 2015
SVG on @AndreDrummondd's decision to wait so #Pistons get more space: "Every player says I'm all about winning. This guy's proving (it)."
— Keith Langlois (@Keith_Langlois) October 20, 2015
Even if Drummond inked an extension with the Pistons before the league’s November 2nd deadline, his new salary wouldn’t kick-in until next season. What waiting to get that massive number on the books until July does, though, is afford Detroit the chance to acquire superior, more expensive free agents before going over the cap to sign its franchise player with Bird Rights.
Barring a career-threatening injury, Drummond will receive a max-level contract next summer. The risk of playing another season without a lucrative long-term deal in place doesn’t apply to players of his caliber the way it does the vast majority. And considering he took a more serious approach than ever to training and nutrition this offseason, it certainly seems like the three-year veteran – whose commitment to the game has frequently been questioned – is ready to embrace his role as the Pistons’ cornerstone.
Kudos to Drummond for taking the selfless, big picture approach to team-building. What will most decide whether or not it pays off, though, is how he and Detroit fare in 2015-16. We’ll begin to find out next week.
