Report: Andre Drummond to opt in with Cavs

Andre Drummond was traded to the Cavs in February.

Cavaliers center Andre Drummond said back in June he’d by sticking with Cleveland, and apparently that hasn’t changed.

Per Marc Stein of The New York Times, Drummond will pick up his $28.7 player option for 2020-21 to stick with the Cavs. In an interview on ESPN’s “Le Batard & Friends Network” podcast on June 23, the former All-Star says he will “definitely” be in Cleveland next season.

Andre Drummond is bypassing free agency and picking up his $28.7 million player option for next season to stay with the Cavaliers, league sources said

— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) November 17, 2020

The Cavs acquired Drummond from the Detroit Pistons for Brandon Knight, John Henson and a second-round pick at the 2019-20 trade deadline. Drummond made two All-Star teams in Detroit and left the franchise as its all-time leader in rebounds and field-goal percentage. In eight games with the Cavs, Drummond averaged 17.5 points, 11.1 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.4 blocks per game while shooting 55.2%.

Although the Cavs went 19-46, drove away a respected former college coach in John Beilein and finished with the East’s worst record, the season wasn’t a complete wash.

Coach J.B. Bickerstaff was energized by how his team pulled together following Beilein’s exit. Cleveland went 5-6 after Bickerstaff took over, showing a competitive spirit in several comeback wins.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.