Report: Andre Drummond Expected To Leave Bulls

According to NBA reporter Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times, Andre Drummond is expected to leave the Chicago Bulls this offseason. 

Drummond becomes an unrestricted free agent. 

“What remains to be seen, however, is what direction do the Bulls go?” Cowley wrote. “Do they prepare for DeMar DeRozan possibly leaving in free agency or if he does return — the more likely scenario — draft his heir apparent at the small forward position? Do they grab a big to replace the expected vacancy with Andre Drummond looking for a new team, as well as some youth to push starter Nikola Vucevic?”

Drummond appeared in 79 games for the Bulls this season. He averaged 8.4 points, 9.0 rebounds, 0.5 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.6 blocks while shooting 55.6% from the field and 59.2% from the free-throw line. The two-time All-Star recorded 18 double-doubles. 

The Bulls almost traded Drummond to the Philadelphia 76ers before pulling out of trade talks at the 2024 trade deadline. Drummond drew trade interest from the Sixers, Boston Celtics, Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns and Houston Rockets.

Chicago missed the playoffs again this year. The franchise has only made the postseason once since trading Jimmy Butler to the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2017.

The Bulls lost to the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round of the 2022 playoffs in five games. 

One of the best rebounders in NBA history, Drummond has career averages of 12.7 points, 12.4 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.3 blocks with the Detroit Pistons, Cleveland Cavaliers, Lakers, Sixers, Brooklyn Nets and Bulls. 

Chicago is expected to re-sign DeRozan and try to trade Zach LaVine this offseason. LaVine wants to get traded to the Lakers, but Los Angeles is not interested in trading for the shooting guard, sources told Hoops Wire. 

LaVine will make $43 million next season.