The Knicks have been listed as one of five teams Andre Drummond intends to speak with now that his buyout from the Cleveland Cavaliers has been completed.
In addition the Knicks, the two-time All-Star center will listen to pitches from the Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers, the Boston Celtics and the Charlotte Hornets, according to Yahoo Sports. The Nets also have been strongly linked to Drummond, but Brooklyn was not included in the report.
The 27-year-old Drummond, who hasn’t played since Feb. 12, completed a buyout agreement Friday with the Cavs, The Athletic reported, after they were unable to move him before Thursday’s trade deadline.
After dealing Austin Rivers and Ignas Brazdeikis at the deadline, the Knicks are armed with more than $14 million in available salary-cap space. They could have up to $60 million available this summer.
The Mount Vernon product and former UConn star averaged 17.5 points and 13.5 rebounds per game in 25 appearances this season for the rebuilding Cavs, who have been starting former Nets big man Jarrett Allen at center since Drummond was removed from the lineup.
Drummond has led the NBA in rebounding four times in his nine-year career, and his 13.82 career average ranks eighth on the all-time list, the highest among active players.
The Knicks recently got back third-year center Mitchell Robinson from a hand injury, and they also have employed veterans Nerlens Noel and Taj Gibson at the position this season. Noel missed Thursday’s comeback win over Washington with a shoulder injury.
