The New York Knicks approached the NBA trade deadline with restraint, much as they did in the free agency.
They only did a minor trade involving Austin Rivers, who has fallen out of the rotation, and end-of-the-bench player Ignas Brazdeikis.
With their $15 million cap space still intact, the Knicks could still improve their roster via the buyout market.
Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report doubled down on an earlier report of The Ringer’s Kevin O’ Connor that the Knicks are a serious landing spot for Andre Drummond.
The buyout market for Andre Drummond is expected to center around the Lakers and Knicks, according to league sources.
— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) March 25, 2021
The Cleveland Cavaliers found no taker for Drummond, a former two-time All-star and a four-time rebounding leader, at the trade deadline.
The Lakers could offer less money but a chance to win a ring as Anthony Davis’ backup in the postseason.
More money to offer
The Knicks can lure Drummond with a multi-year deal and a more significant role in an ascending team that has a chance to break a seven-year playoff drought.
The Knicks can use their cap space to offer Drummond a pro-rated four-year, $64-million deal, according to The Athletic’s front office insider and former Memphis Grizzlies executive John Hollinger.
Ian Begley of SNY reported earlier that the Knicks are divided when it comes to going after Drummond but added a prominent voice that wants to add him.
Connecticut connections
Drummond is a Mount Vernon native but considers Middletown, Connecticut, as his home, which is only a 15-minute drive from New Britain, Connecticut, where Tom Thibodeau hails.
Thibodeau coached Drummond in the 2014 FIBA World Cup as an assistant coach of the Team USA that won the gold. In the same year, Drummond fired Rob Pelinka as his agent. Pelinka is now the Lakers’ general manager.
Drummond also played for Thibodeau’s good friend, Jim Calhoun, in college. Thibodeau used to visit Calhoun’s practices in the Northeast. Drummond considers his UConn coach as one of his best friends.
It is unclear, though, if Thibodeau is that prominent voice that Begley refers to in his report.
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