CLEVELAND — The NBA trade deadline has come and gone (with the exception of some buzzer-beater deals still rolling in) and with it so have the rumors of teams looking to trade for Cavaliers center Andre Drummond, leaving the team to work on a buyout, according to Yahoo Sports' Chris Haynes.
The Cleveland Cavaliers and Andre Drummond will work out a buyout, league sources tell @YahooSports.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) March 25, 2021
Drummond has not played since Feb. 12 as the team benched him while attempting to find a trade for him, which ultimately did not come to fruition despite the reported interest from teams such as the Knicks and the Lakers.
Now, the Cavs will reportedly work with Drummond on a buy out, allowing him to head to a new team. The Lakers and Nets have been seen as front runners in a buyout scenario with Drummond.
In the 25 games Drummond did play this season, he averaged 17.5 points and 13.5 rebounds per game.
Cleveland acquired Drummond near the trade deadline last year. In exchange for the two-time All-Star, the Cavaliers sent Brandon Knight, John Henson and a second-round pick to the Detroit Pistons. Drummond exercised his $28.7 million contract option in November to stay with the team this season.
While general manager Koby Altman was not able to deal Drummond, he did make a trade before the deadline, sending center JaVale McGee to the Nuggets.
RELATED: Reports: Cavs trade JaVale McGee to Denver for Isaiah Hartenstein, two second-round picks
