NBA Free Agency: Top 5 best contracts this offseason

NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 8: Andre Drummond of Brooklyn Nets warms up before the NBA match between Brooklyn Nets and Cleveland Cavaliers at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn of New York City, United States on April 8, 2022, NBA Free Agency: Top 5 best contracts this offseason. (Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

NBA Free Agency: Top 5 best contracts this offseason: 5. Andre Drummond, Chicago Bulls

A few years ago, Andre Drummond was considered one of the elite centers in the NBA. His career has taken a turn since then, but he can still be a meaningful part of a contender. Drummond signed a two-year, $6.6 million deal with the Chicago Bulls. He is expected to serve as the backup to Nikola Vucevic, The Athletic reported (subscription required).

Since the stardom days of his Detroit Pistons tenure have ended, Drummond has become somewhat of an Eastern Conference journeyman. He served as a backup for Joel Embiid in Philadelphia last year before being shipped to the Brooklyn Nets in the James Harden deal.

Drummond’s best days are certainly behind him. The big man averaged only 7.9 points per game in 19.7 minutes per contest last year, though he saw an uptick in scoring and time on the court during his Brooklyn tenure.

But he can still be a difference-maker, particularly on the boards. Despite the limited playing time, Drummond still averaged a whopping 9.3 rebounds per game. Combined with Vucevic’s rebounding acumen (11.0 per game), it will be hard for opponents to grab boards against the Bulls.

Drummond will be 29 years old by the start of the season, but he still may be able to snag one more decent deal at the end of this contract. He’ll have the motivation to exceed his deal and Chicago will have one of the best backup centers in the league as it looks to keep surging after this past year’s success.

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