Detroit Pistons general manager Joe Dumars is sending some mixed messages when it comes to trades and free agency. While insisting the team is not done making moves this offseason, he is remaining coy on what those actually involve. After signing Josh Smith to a very large contract, Dumars may or may not be seeking a trade for Rajon Rondo and he might not be trading away Brandon Knight. One thing Dumars is making very clear, Andre Drummond is not going anywhere.
Drummond has proven to be one of the best young forwards in the NBA. Only six other players have matched his per-minute scoring, rebounding and blocking rates he put up last season. Bill Walton, Robert Parish and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar are just to name a few. Drummond is in pretty good company and he did it all at 19. It is not difficult to see why Dumars is making him untouchable in trade talks.
"There are guys who, a pecking order of things we would or wouldn't do, Drummond is certainly one of those guys we wouldn't move," Dumars said to The Detroit News.
While Dumars would not use the word untouchable, he certainly made it clear that Drummond was not headed elsewhere. Now, if Detroit were offered LeBron James in exchange for Drummond, Dumars would certainly be singing a different tune. So who could Detroit give up if Drummond stays? ESPN suggests center Greg Monroe.
Zach Lowe of Grantland reports numerous teams have inquired about Monroe's status with the team. Most were met with a "no" as far as his availability. Monroe could garner a good trade. He is a proven center in the league with an expiring contract that ends next season. He could command a good package if the Pistons are willing to listen.
Dumars will admit to asking about the availability of Rondo. If the Celtics were willing to give up the point guard, Monroe could be an excellent addition to a trade deal. The Celtics will not give up Rondo for just anyone. If Dumars thinks he has a chance at landing him, do not be surprised if Drummond's name is brought up again.
