Andre Drummond

Center Andre Drummond reportedly may stay put despite the Detroit Pistons' efforts to deal him ahead of Thursday's NBA trade deadline.

According to Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports, there is an "increased likelihood" that Drummond will remain with the Pistons past the deadline.

Drummond is a two-time All-Star and one of the NBA's premier rebounders, but since he can opt out of his contract and become a free agent at the end of the season, the Pistons had reportedly been exploring trade possibilities.

The Pistons and Atlanta Hawks were engaged in trade talks focused on Drummond in January, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. However, Atlanta has since acquired center Clint Capela from the Houston Rockets as part of a four-team trade, per Wojnarowski.

Drummond, 26, is enjoying arguably the best season of his career with averages of 17.8 points, 15.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.7 blocks per game. With forward Blake Griffin potentially on the shelf for the remainder of the year, Drummond is essentially the last star standing in Detroit.

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Even at 19-34, the Pistons are technically in the Eastern Conference playoff race. They are in 10th place and trail the Orlando Magic by four games for the No. 8 seed.

They reached the postseason last year but got swept in the first round by the Milwaukee Bucks. If they make it back to the playoffs, they will likely face a similar result.

It makes sense for the Pistons to shop Drummond, but his contract situation makes it difficult for them to receive fair compensation in exchange for the three-time NBA rebounding champion.

Drummond's opt-out clause means he could be nothing more than a rental. If a team that trades for him can't get assurance that he will at least opt in for next season, then there isn't much incentive to part with significant assets to land him.

It may now be in Detroit's best interest to keep Drummond and either hope for him to opt in or try to work out a long-term contract extension.

Even if he merely opts in, it could allow the Pistons to put him back on the block during the offseason and receive a better return since the team that acquires him would have him for a full season.

The Pistons clearly don't have the upper hand in current trade negotiations involving Drummond. If they decide to keep him, it will confirm that teams were unwilling to part with much for a player who may be a free agent in a few months.

The Detroit Pistons are reportedly still attempting to move center Andre Drummond ahead of Thursday's NBA trade deadline.

According to ESPN's Zach Lowe, the Pistons "haven't given up hope" of trading Drummond despite the fact that his market has cooled.

Lowe noted that even if the Pistons are able to deal Drummond, they may not receive as big of a return as they want since the big man's contract situation is scaring away teams. He has a $28.8 million player option for next season, which means he could become a free agent at the conclusion of the 2019-20 campaign if he opts out.

The 26-year-old Drummond is a two-time All-Star, and although he was not named an All-Star this season, he is enjoying another productive year with 17.3 points, 15.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.7 blocks per game.

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Drummond is also on pace to lead the NBA in rebounds per game for the third consecutive season and the fourth time in the past five years.

The Pistons have relied even more heavily than usual on Drummond  with Blake Griffin out injured (knee), and he has delivered. Because of the lack of talent and production around him, however, the Pistons are just 11th in the Eastern Conference at 18-33.

Since Detroit, which has the sixth-toughest schedule remaining, seems unlikely to reach the playoffs this season and could lose Drummond for nothing during the offseason, the smart play would be to cash in Drummond for assets provided there are no plans to sign him to an extension.

The Atlanta Hawks are one team known to be in the market for a center, and they were linked to Drummond recently. But ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported Monday that talks between the Pistons and Hawks have "lost momentum."

Even if Drummond wants to test the market during the offseason, he could be an ideal fit for a contending team in need of a big-man rental.

The Milwaukee Bucks, Boston Celtics, Miami Heat and Los Angeles Clippers are among the teams in playoff position who could use a center, but it is unclear how willing or able any of them would be to take on Drummond's salary.

A package including a first-round pick and a player would probably be a good return for Drummond at this juncture, but the uncertainty regarding Drummond and his willingness to opt in for next season may take a first-round pick out of the equation for most teams.

If that is the case, the Pistons may face the dilemma of either trading Drummond for far less than what he is worth or gambling on him exercising his player option for 2020-21.

As the 2020 NBA trade deadline nears, several big-name forwards and centers are popping up in the rumor mill.

While many of them previously drew headlines as potential players on the move, Clint Capela, for example, hadn't been a focus lately. However, the Houston Rockets have restarted those discussions, according to a report from ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

That storyline will be among the most notable topics to monitor as the NBA approaches the 2020 cutoff.

2020 NBA Trade Deadline

Thursday, February 6, at 3 p.m. ET

Star Forwards, Centers on the Market

Although he's not necessarily the best player available, Capela is the most talented trade candidate who contributes for a good team. The Rockets are 31-18, and he is averaging 13.9 points, 13.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks this season.

Will they actually swing a deal?

Shams Charania of The Athletic previously said that appears unlikely, "barring an overwhelming offer." Capela's contract has always been an obstacle in trade talks anyway.

According to Basketball Insiders, the 25-year-old is earning $14.9 million this season with raises on the horizon. He's due $16 million in 2020-21, $17.1 million in 2021-22 and $18.2 million in 2022-23. The value isn't an issue; rather, it's Houston's ability to match the salaries needed to complete a trade.

Given the financial hurdles, the Rockets probably must find a third team willing to facilitate a deal. That's not easy.

Plus, they have a particular goal in mind. Mark Berman of Fox 26 Houston reinforced Woj's reporting.

The same article noted the Atlanta Hawks are interested in Capela, as well as Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams. Atlanta's trade talks involving Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond lost momentum recently, according to Wojnarowski.

Charania added the Hawks have also expressed interest in Sacramento Kings center Dewayne Dedmon.

Two other well-known players could be on the market, though a deal for either Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love or Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon may be unlikely.

Regarding Love, "Cleveland is resigned right now that there is no trade for them between now and Thursday," Wojnarowski said on The Woj Pod. "Unless something comes out of nowhere, essentially, they will be looking in the offseason."

Not everyone feels that way, though.

"More than a few guys in that locker room sense the organization wanting to make a big shakeup" and looking to trade Love and Tristan Thompson, per Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com. The reeling Cavs are also fighting internal disarray, apparently.

Wojnarowski called Gordon a tricky player to trade, especially after the Magic lost Jonathan Isaac and Al-Farouq Aminu to season-ending injuries.

"I think, for Orlando, if there's a significant return, I think they would be open to it," Woj said of Gordon. "But I don't know if that deal is out there."

Considering the early reports, expecting a blockbuster deal may be foolish. But the caliber of the players involved in trade discussions demands a close watch before the deadline.

Follow Bleacher Report writer David Kenyon on Twitter @Kenyon19_BR.

The Atlanta Hawks have reportedly held talks with the Oklahoma City Thunder about a trade for Steven Adams, as their search for a new center continues.

According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, talks with the Detroit Pistons over Andre Drummond have "lost momentum," and the Hawks have shifted their focus elsewhere. Houston Rockets big Clint Capela is also a target.

The Rockets and Thunder find themselves in the thick of the playoff race in the Western Conference. Houston is believed to be looking for wing help to aid its superstar backcourt of James Harden and Russell Westbrook, and a Capela trade could bring back a wing and a big.

Oklahoma City currently holds the seventh seed ahead of the Memphis Grizzlies, Portland Trail Blazers and San Antonio Spurs. The Thunder were not expected to be playoff contenders coming into the season, and despite their current 30-20 record, they would likely stand little chance in a series against the L.A. Lakers or L.A. Clippers, the two top teams in the West.

A rebuild in the near future still seems likely, and trading Adams would jump-start the process. The 26-year-old will become an unrestricted free agent after the 2020-21 season.

Per Brandon Rahbar of Daily Thunder, he's not the only trade chip the team has:

Adams is averaging 10.8 points and 9.3 rebounds in 26.7 minutes per game this season, but he's making a lot this season and next ($25,842,697 and $27,528,090), and he doesn't space the floor or block a ton of shots. He also has trouble when he needs to guard bigs on the perimeter.

Capela is under contract for three more seasons after the current one. He's averaging 13.9 points, 13.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game, but he's also making big money (over $66 million) and is limited offensively, serving primarily as a lob and pick-and-roll threat.

The Hawks sit in last place in the Eastern Conference (13-37), tied with the Cleveland Cavaliers for the second-worst record in the league. Their rebuild is in full swing, but with developing youngsters Trae Young, John Collins, De'Andre Hunter, Cam Reddish and Kevin Huerter on the roster, the future looks bright.

Atlanta already made a trade this season, adding Jeff Teague and Treveon Graham for Allen Crabbe. Center remains a major need, and with the expiring deals of Teague, Chandler Parsons and Evan Turner, it shouldn't be too hard to match salaries in a trade.

The Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics and New York Knicks are reportedly "bypassing further pursuit" of Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond ahead of the 2020 NBA trade deadline Feb. 6. 

Shams Charania of The Athletic reported Friday the market for Drummond is "stagnant" with the Pistons' asking price of a first-round pick or a "quality young player" not leading to serious talks.

Drummond's contract situation is likely a major factor in the lack of legitimate offers.

The 26-year-old UConn product is in the final guaranteed season of a five-year, $127.2 million contract with the Pistons. Yahoo Sports' Chris Haynes reported last week the NBA's rebounding leader will use a player option to opt out of the deal's final season to become an unrestricted free agent in the summer.

It would be tough to justify giving up an asset like a first-round pick or an impact young player for a couple months of Drummond unless a team believes he's the last piece of their championship puzzle.

For his part, the two-time All-Star said in early January said he'd like to stay in Detroit.

"I'm not a quitter, for one," Drummond told reporters. "I was never brought up to be a quitter. If I start somewhere, I try to finish there, try to complete the mission, which is to win a championship here. It will never be me that wants to go anywhere ... I love being here. I would love to play here the rest of my career."

Drummond is averaging 17.3 points, 15.7 rebounds and 1.8 blocks while shooting 53.1 percent from the field across 42 appearances during the 2019-20 season.

With the Pistons not getting the type of offers they desired, the question becomes whether the asking price will decrease with less than two weeks until the deadline and the front office facing the prospect of losing the star center for nothing in free agency after the season.

So far it doesn't sound like anything is close, so Detroit has a lot of work to do if it's going to move Drummond before Feb. 6.

Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond will miss the team's game Wednesday against the Sacramento Kings because of facial injuries he suffered against the Washington Wizards Monday, per Keith Langlois of Pistons.com. 

According to Langlois, Drummond "lost a tooth and gashed his lip" in the team's 106-100 loss to the Wizards. He saw a dentist but "the lip was too swollen to make repairs." 

Drummond suffered the injury late in the fourth quarter while going up for a rebound. Washington's Thomas Bryant, also going up for the board, accidentally caught him in the face with a flailing arm. 

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After the game, Drummond and his head coach, Dwane Casey, weren't pleased that a foul wasn't called:

It's been a tough season for Drummond and the Pistons. The team is just 16-28 and it appears their best player, Blake Griffin, is out for the season:

The Pistons are still just three games out of the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference, so all is not lost. But there will be plenty of interest around the NBA in veterans like Drummond and Derrick Rose, and it wouldn't be shocking if the Pistons were sellers come February. 

Another factor Detroit could consider is that Drummond has a $28.7 million player option for next season, a figure he'll probably decline to become a free agent. It's possible that Detroit could lose him in free agency without obtaining any assets in return. 

The 26-year-old is having another solid season, averaging 17.3 points, 15.7 rebounds, 2.1 steals and 1.8 blocks per game, shooting 53.1 percent from the field. He'll have suitors if the Pistons decide to make him available. 

The Detroit Pistons may want to trade Andre Drummond before the Feb. 6 deadline, but there doesn't appear to be a long list of suitors eager to meet their demands right now.

Per Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix, the Pistons have had "no traction" to this point in their talks with other teams for the two-time All-Star.

Mannix notes that multiple teams have "kicked the tires" on Drummond, but so far nothing has appealed to Detroit. 

Yahoo Sports' Chris Haynes reported Thursday that the Atlanta Hawks were no longer talking to the Pistons about dealing for the veteran center after previously offering some combination of Damian Jones, Chandler Parsons or Allen Crabbe and a first-round draft pick. 

The Hawks were believed to be serious suitors for Drummond in the wake of Trae Young's hopes for the team to add more talent around him. 

For the Pistons, they have to decide what direction to move next in this disappointing season. Blake Griffin tried to play through knee problems before undergoing surgery on Jan. 7 that will keep him out indefinitely. Their 15-27 record is ninth in the Eastern Conference.

Drummond leads the team with 15.7 rebounds per game and ranks second with 17.3 points per game. The 26-year-old can become a free agent this summer if he opts out of his contract.