AUBURN HILLS, MI (WTVB) – The Detroit Pistons aren’t letting center Andre Drummond go anywhere. According to ESPN, Detroit is on the verge of re-signing the restricted free agent to a five-year, 130-million-dollar max contract. Drummond put up a career-high 16.2 points and 14.8 rebounds per game last season and formed a deadly pick and roll combo with Reggie Jackson. The Pistons drafted him with the ninth-overall pick in the 2012 draft and he’s still only 22-years-old.
Detroit returned to the playoffs for the first time since 2008-09. They were promptly swept by the Cavaliers in the first round. The deal is expected to be finalized later today, but can’t become official until July 7.
The Pistons are looking to improve their backcourt depth. According to mlive.com, Detroit has signed point guard Ish Smith to a three-year contract. Smith will be the backup to starter Reggie Jackson. The diminutive 27-year-old averaged 12.6 points, 6.5 assists and four rebounds per game split between the Pelicans and 76ers last season.
Detroit had one of the worst benches in the NBA during 2015-16 and he will take over for Steve Blake, who is an unrestricted free agent.
