Yesterday, my mind was wandering, as it often does, into dreams of the Wine and Gold. Now, often my visions of the future Cavaliers center around an unstoppable team featuring a superstar version of Kyrie Irving, a dominant Dion Waiters, a typical LeBron James, a double-double machine in Tristan Thompson, and then there’s sort of a blank around the center position. My vision has Andy Varejao on the bench as a sixth man, playing the role that he did when the Cavs were consistent playoff contenders.
Because there was no center, I thought of possible replacements for that blank hole. Tyler Zeller won’t cut it. I just don’t see him as a starting center in the NBA. He could be a good role player, with his ability to hit the jumper on a pretty consistent basis, but he’s just not strong or skilled enough to start for an NBA Title contender.
Then I looked at Andy, but I already told you my dream for him. The Wild Thing of old would come off the bench, bringing that energy that may be unmatched by any player or any team in the NBA. He’s a no go.
Then I started looking outside of the Cavaliers organization for centers that I like.
Dwight Howard.
I like him, but he’s not worth it. I’ve said this before.
Al Jefferson.
Eh, a little old, a little costly. I’m not sold.
DeAndre Jordan.
Young, talented, athletic as can be, but not skilled enough as a big man. Can’t pull the trigger.
Finally, my mind wandered to the player that would work perfectly for the Cavaliers:
Andre Drummond.
“Dre Drum” as I refer to him, is probably my favorite center in the NBA. He’s one of the youngest players in the NBA, but one of the most promising. In 20 minutes a game, Drummond averaged 7.9 points while shooting 60.8% from the field and grabbed 7.6 boards per contest.
What I love about Drummond is not so much his output right away, what I love is the potential.
Here’s a 18 year old kid that showed flashes of dominance on the defensive side of the basketball. He proved that he is big enough, strong enough, and athletic enough to guard just about anyone you throw at him.
His offensive game is incredibly raw and needs a ton of work, but this summer he is teaming up with LeBron’s post-helper, Hakeem Olajuwon, for some offensive help. I could see him next year averaging a double-double.
I love Drummond so much, but why would the Cavs want him, and how could they get him?
I don’t think the Cavs want him. That’s just plain and simple. Don’t get me wrong, this is why the article is titled “insane Cavs trade”. This would not be a move that the Cavs would pull to help their franchise. But just imagine that I am the GM and I’m a little bit crazy.
What the Cavs are probably going to do, once the lottery placement is determined, is pick up a center. Nerlens Noel may be out of their range, depending on where they land, so I’m projecting that they pick up Alex Len out of Maryland, and I would be all for it.
Len is huge. At 7’1 255 pounds, Len is just about as big as your going to get. He’s a couple of inches taller than Drummond, but is a couple pounds thinner. He’s not as strong as DreDrum, but he’s certainly just as athletic.
At Maryland, Len averaged 12 points per game, while gobbling up 8 boards and blocking 2 shots. He only shot about 53% from the field, which is a bit alarming, but doesn’t put him out of the question.
My mind wandered further.
Ok, who would you rather have? Andre Drummond or Alex Len?
While I would be ok with Len, the answer was undoubtedly Andre Drummond.
Drummond is younger than Len by a couple of months, yet already has a year of NBA experience under his belt. Drummond is light years ahead in terms of development.
While I will certainly be fine with Alex Len when the Cavaliers draft him, I would much rather have Drummond.
Since I’m playing GM here, Len is out of the question, and so goes the lottery pick on the trading block. I’m out to get Andre Drummond in a Cleveland Cavaliers uniform.
I tried to think of potential moves for Drummond that included Brandon Knight. Knight is a tireless worker and an undervalued point guard. His rough season in terms of big embarrassing moments, like the Kyrie ankle-break and the DeAndre Jordan slam, made him the laughing stock of the NBA for most of the season. Brandon, however, will never stop working to be the best player he can be, and will certainly prove his worth in the coming seasons.
The problem is that the Cavaliers don’t have enough to get him.
I was thinking about giving up Wayne Ellington, Shaun Livingston, and Boobie Gibson for Brandon, but I don’t think that would be enough.
Brandon Knight was out of the question.
So I moved to Rodney Stuckey.
Here’s a guy who’s not all that valuable to the Pistons that the Cavs could throw in for a trade for Drummond.
Now it, comes to Drummond. How do we bring Drummond to Cleveland?
It’s simple, but a little stupid.
The trade goes as follows: Tyler Zeller, this year’s lottery pick, this year’s second rounder, and Wayne Ellington for Andre Drummond and Rodney Stuckey.
Now, if Detroit doesn’t like the deal, they add Andy Varejao. As sad as it would be to see Andy go, it would help the Cavs tremendously. It would free up a ton of cap space, and bring in a ton of value in Drummond.
While the Cavs won’t do this, I sort of wish they would. It’s an indictment of how much I love Drummond and how much I want him to be a part of the Championship the Cavaliers will contend for in 2015.
Imagine that lineup, if just for a second:
Kyrie Irving
Dion Waiters
LeBron James
Tristan Thompson
Andre Drummond
While LeBron isn’t a garuntee in the slightest, the Cavs aren’t competing for a title without him. It’s factual, and I’m sorry I have to say it.
That lineup, however, with Drummond filling that big hole that keeps replaying through my mind, wins an NBA Championship. The lineup with Alex Len could certainly compete, but with Andre Drummond, it couldn’t fail.
The trade may be a little too crazy for the Cavs to pull the trigger, but it would be perfect for my day dreams of the confetti falling from the roof of Quicken Loans Arena.
The post The Most Insane Cavs Trade I like; Andre Drummond appeared first on More Than A Fan.