A lot of changes could be coming to the Philadelphia 76ers this offseason. A considerable amount of attention will be given to Quentin Grimes’ and Guerschon Yabusele’s free agencies this summer, as those two stood out in a season mired in disaster.
However, the Sixers have other players who could stay or go. Among them is Andre Drummond, who has a player option for $5 million for the 2026 season. PhillyVoice’s Adam Aaronson explained why he believes Drummond will opt in.
“It is difficult to imagine Drummond commanding anything above a veteran’s minimum contract given his age and the disappointing, injury-riddled season that is nearing completion. Unless he is comfortable playing on a minimum in an ideal situation, it would be questionable for him to decline this money,” Aaronson wrote.
Drummond has made two All-Star teams in his NBA career in 2016 and 2018. While those days are long behind him, he has transitioned well as a hybrid backup big and emergency starter over the last few years. However, following a good first stint with the Sixers during the 2022 season, which lasted half a season, Drummond’s second stint hasn’t gone as swimmingly.
If he opts in, the Sixers’ best move may be to trade him for someone better. Aaronson added that Guerschon Yabusele “helped stabilize the backup center spot while Drummond became less of a priority” throughout this season. If Yabusele sticks around, there would be little point in keeping Drummond.
Even if things didn’t work out as well with the Sixers’ backup center as they had hoped, getting someone who better fits their needs could make up for it.
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