After declining opportunities to trade Andre Drummond for second-round picks at the February deadline, the Chicago Bulls lost him to free agency on Sunday evening, leaving fans with just memories.
According to a league source, Drummond has verbally agreed to a two-year, $10 million contract with the Philadelphia 76ers. Interestingly, the 76ers were one of the teams that discussed a potential trade with the Bulls before the deadline.
At that time, the Bulls’ management was focused on remaining competitive in the playoff race. However, the team failed to advance beyond the Play-In Tournament for the second consecutive season.
I’m in the mood for a Philly cheesesteak 🫂
— Andre Drummond (@AndreDrummond) June 30, 2024
Following Alex Caruso’s trade to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Josh Giddey on June 21, the Bulls have adopted a different strategy this offseason, with management promising significant changes.
Drummond’s departure seemed likely since the Bulls’ loss to the Miami Heat in the Play-In Tournament back in April. He is returning to the 76ers, where he first signed as a free agent in August 2021 to back up Joel Embiid. Drummond played 49 games for the 76ers before being traded to the Brooklyn Nets.
In Chicago, Drummond found a place where he contributed significantly over two seasons as Nikola Vucevic’s backup. The former four-time NBA rebounding champion averaged 7.3 points and 7.9 rebounds in just 15.1 minutes per game over 146 games. This included starting 10 games last season, during which he averaged 14.1 points and 17.9 rebounds.
Drummond became a fan favorite in Chicago, often receiving standing ovations for his energetic and sometimes entertaining performances off the bench.