The Charlotte Hornets just lost one former UConn star this offseason in Kemba Walker, but they could be poised to land another one before too long.
Sean Deveney of Heavy.com reported Friday that the Hornets are targeting Detroit Pistons big man Andre Drummond, whom they have had interest in for at least a year.
“He’ll be a priority there,” a league executive was quoted as saying. “It’s just a matter of whether they make him a priority now and give up something to get him or try to make the move later. It’s a very cautious group, [Hornets GM] Mitch Kupchak and those guys. But they might want to get this guy into the fold sooner than later. There’s just a lot of incentive there on both sides.”
Drummond, 26, is putting up a stout 18.6 points, 16.8 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game this season (all career-highs). He is in the last year of his contract, opening up the possibility that the lowly Pistons could trade him before the February deadline. However, the Hornets could wait to extend a lucrative offer to Drummond over the summer, as they have multiple bad contracts (Bismack Biyombo, Marvin Williams, etc.) that are expiring.
The two-time All-Star recently fueled speculation about his future, and he will certainly have options if he decides to end his eight-year run in Detroit.
