The Bulls have failed to make the playoffs.
Of course, that means that the Bulls’ season has failed in many aspects. This can include things like signings, trades, rotations, conflicting playing styles between players, etc.
The signing of Andre Drummond is an example of that.
Detroit Drummond
Before becoming a part of the Chicago Bulls in 2022-23 season, Andre Drummond played for quite a few teams.
For most of his career, Drummond played for the Detroit Pistons for eight seasons.
As shown on Basketball Reference, he averaged 14.4 points, 13.9 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks on 54.1% from the field and 46.0% from the line.
Despite his struggles from the line, Drummond became a 4-time rebounding champion and a 2-time All-Star.
He was even an iron-man/healthy player.
For instance, from the 2012-13 season to the 2018-19 season, Drummond played no less than 78 games per season.
However, as time progressed in the NBA, the game started to move more to 3-point shooting rather than post-play. Since Drummond didn’t fit that skill set, his time with the Pistons was in jeopardy. Eventually, the Pistons decided to move on from him.
Goodbye Detroit. Hello…Other Cities
On Feb. 6, 2020, Andre Drummond was traded from the Detroit Pistons to the Cleveland Cavaliers. The trade details were as follows:
Pistons receive: Brandon Knight, John Henson, and a 2023 second-round pick
Cavaliers receive: Andre Drummond
As a Cavalier, Drummond averaged 17.5 points, 12.0 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks on 49.1% from the field and 57.7% from the line.
As shown, Drummond’s game didn’t really change much. He just averaged a few less points, grabbed a few less rebounds, and was less bad from the line.
After only two seasons, the Cavs also decided to let him go.
By the time the 2022 offseason rolled around Drummond played for 5 different teams: the Pistons, the Cavs, the LA Lakers, the Philadelphia 76ers, and the Brooklyn Nets.
His last team being the Nets where he averaged 11.8 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks on 61.0% from the field and 53.7% from the line.
These stats showed that he was still a solid player, but again showed the same struggles as he had displayed throughout his career.
Regardless, on July 6, 2022, Drummond signed a two-year $6,560,000 contract with the Chicago Bulls.
Thus, they took on his strengths and weaknesses in the 2022-23 season.
Drummond + His Positives
As shown, Drummond averaged 6.0 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 0.4 blocks on 60.6% from the field and 53.6% from the line.
Essentially, Drummond was regressing in areas that used to be strengths while continuing to keep the same weaknesses that he’s had over the course of his entire career. Thus, these stats caused negative and positive effects on the Bulls as a whole.
Starting with the positives, Drummond helped the Bulls with defensive rebounding and field goal percentage. As shown on nba.com, the Bulls rank ninth in defensive rebounding (with 33.9) and that’s partially thanks to Drummond’s efforts.
Specifically, Drummond averaged 4.6 defensive rebounds per game.
With these efforts, he seemed to help add on to the defensive rebounds posted by the Bulls’ defensive rebound leader: Nikola Vucevic. Essentially, he gave Vucevic and the rest of the team the energy to crash the glass whenever the opposing team misses, especially during clutch time.
Regarding field goal percentage, Drummond averaged 60.6% from the field.
This percentage is exceptionally high and is helpful to an offense that heavily relies on LaVine and DeRozan down the stretch. As shown, the Bulls were ranked 3rd in team field goal percentage with 49.0%. That demonstrated that Drummond would hit his shots when given the opportunity.
Drummond Negatives
Moving on to negatives, Drummond struggled from the line and didn’t have a 3-point shot.
When it comes to free-throw percentage, Drummond’s a detriment.
As shown on ESPN, Drummond attempted 1.9 free-throws per game on 53.6%. Fortunately, he didn’t attempt more but that’s still leaving points on the line.
Thankfully, the team remained consist from the line, averaging a team percentage of 80.9%, ranking the Bulls 5th. However, it would be higher if Drummond’s free-throw percentage wasn’t as bad as it was.
In other words, it hurts the team, but not immensely unlike Drummond’s next negative: 3-point shooting.
As shown, Drummond attempted a single 3-pointer as a Bull, showing his lack of confidence in that aspect of the game.
That’s extremely detrimental to the Bulls.
In today’s NBA, 3-point shooting is essential to winning/competing with the top teams. For instance, teams like the Celtics, Bucks, and Kings used their 3-point shooting as a major asset every game.
Specifically, the Celtics averaged 42.6 3-point attempts with 16.0 makes shooting 37.7%. The Bucks averaged 40.3 3-point attempts with 14.8 makes shooting 36.8%. The Kings averaged 37.3 3-point attempts with 13.8 makes shooting 36.9%.
Essentially, the Bulls needed to figure out the 3-point shot to truly compete, which they didn’t.
Despite being 16th in 3-point percentage (with 36.1%), they make the least 3-pointers (with 10.4). That means that, to be better as a team, they need to get better 3-point shooters.
Andre Drummond isn’t a 3-point shooter whatsoever. Through that stat alone, it can be baffling to some Bulls fans and analysts why Drummond remained on the team for the entire 2022-23 season.
Why Keep Drummond?
Drummond by no means is a bad NBA player. He’s decent but adds to the Bulls’ problem of 3-point shooting.
As long as the Bulls struggle from three, they have no reason to keep Drummond on the team.
Hopefully, he’ll be able to come back when they improve their 3-point shooting, but, until then, he should be traded/released.
Stay tuned for more NBA content, including midseason moves, contract updates, and more pieces about every team.
Featured image courtesy of BHAGYASHREE SONI-businesskhabar.com
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