A seasoned big man is being pursued by the Philadelphia 76ers in order to replace Joel Embiid on the eve of the NBA trade deadline. The player they are currently pursuing is Andre Drummond, a center for the Chicago Bulls, according to NBA insider Marc Stein. In 51 games for the Bulls, Drummond, 30, is averaging 7.9 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 0.6 blocks. Embiid’s stats—35.3 points, 11.3 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 1.8 blocks—certainly don’t equal those numbers, but the Sixers won’t be able to acquire an MVP-caliber player in exchange for anything.
The 6′ 11″ center is in his 12th NBA season. With Zach LaVine undergoing season-ending surgery and the Bulls not interested in trading Alex Caruso, Drummond and guard DeMar DeRozan are the most likely players for Chicago to trade. But with the team in contention for a play-in spot, the Bulls’ front office might not want to break apart the roster.
However, the Sixers aren’t the only team pursuing Drummond. According to Stein, the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks are also showing interest in acquiring the veteran big man. Embiid is expected to be sidelined for six to eight weeks following surgery to repair a meniscus injury in his left knee. That would take him right up to the end of the regular season if he’s able to return. Whether or not the Sixers are in the playoffs depends on how they play during Embiid’s absence. Going into Thursday’s play, Philadelphia is fifth in the Eastern Conference standings with a 30–19 record and third in the Atlantic Division behind the Celtics and New York Knicks.
