News: Pistons center Andre Drummond was able to play through an ankle injury during Monday's contest against the 76ers. Drummond, who was forced to leave Detroit's win over the Bobcats last Friday after turning his right ankle, finished with five points and eight rebounds in the 109-101 win. He went 2 of 4 from the field and also added two steals and one block to his stat line, while logging 33 minutes of game action.
Analysis: Drummond's injury looked a lot worse than it ended up being as he was able to stay on the court Monday night. The rookie has had some trouble staying healthy this year, but has shown plenty of flashes of his high-end potential -- especially recently. The Pistons have been very pleased with Drummond's recent growth and poised to roll with him alongside Greg Monroe in the front court next year. The future looks very bright for 19-year-old so plan on targeting him in the later rounds in most draft formats next season.
News: Pistons center Andre Drummond was forced to leave Friday's win over the Bobcats with a sprained right ankle. Drummond's right ankle buckled late in the fourth quarter of the 113-93 victory, sending the rookie to the floor. He was ruled out for the remainder of the contest, but finished with 15 points, nine rebounds, two assists and one block prior to leaving the game.
Analysis: Drummond's injury looked a lot worse than it turns out, but this could end the rookie's season as there is really no reason to bring him back at this point. The Pistons have been very pleased with Drummond's growth this season and seem poised to roll with him alongside Greg Monroe in the front court next year. The future looks very bright for Drummond in the coming years.
News: Pistons center Andre Drummond made his seventh straight start on Wednesday night against the Cavaliers and turned in a big double-double. He led Detroit with a career-high 29 points and hauled in 11 rebounds in the 111-104 win. He was an efficient 10 of 11 from the floor and made 9 of 17 free throws while playing 34 minutes. Drummond also chipped in with an assist in the victory.
Analysis: Drummond had scored in double figures just once since being moved to the starting lineup but showed on Wednesday what he can do with heavy minutes. The Pistons have to love their frontcourt going forward with Drummond and Greg Monroe and the two should be reliable options in Fantasy for years to come. Drummond is worth starting in deeper formats down the stretch and has some huge Fantasy potential long-term.
News: If Pistons center Andre Drummond was dealing with any rust from a 22-game absence due to a back injury, he certainly did not show it in his return Friday. Drummond played just 19 minutes in his first career start against the Raptors, but that did not stop him from putting up a solid line. Drummond scored 17 points on 8 of 10 shooting, but went 1 of 4 at the free-throw line. He added four rebounds, two steals and two blocked shots, in a 99-82 loss.
Analysis: The team wanted to make sure Drummond's conditioning was up to par before getting him in the lineup, but they were still cautious in his first game back. Drummond can be a monster when healthy, and he is clearly a huge part of the team's future, so they should rely on him heavily down the stretch. Drummond had huge potential, and could be a solid Fantasy option over the final few weeks of the season.
News: The Pistons report Friday that not only will rookie center Andre Drummond return Friday night against Toronto, but he will also make his first career start. Drummond has been out since suffering a stress fracture in his lower back on Feb. 3.
Analysis: Fantasy owners might want to give Drummond a game or two to see how his back holds up before putting him back in your lineup, but this is a great sign that he should be able to finish out the season. Drummond could end up as a solid starting option to close the year if he is back at 100 percent, especially since he's going into the starting lineup for the Pistons.
News: Pistons center Andre Drummond was a full participant in practice Thursday, and the Detroit Free Press reported that all signs are pointing to Drummond returning from a back injury Friday against the Pistons. The report even indicates that Drummond could start at center next to forward Greg Monroe in his first game back. Monroe told reporters that Drummond looks to be at full health and ready to return. “He’s definitely playing above the rim, moving around very well,” Monroe said. “He’s definitely, from what I see, it looks like he’s fully healed. He’s been taking full contact, running the floor, doing everything he was before he got hurt.”
Analysis: The Pistons are justifiably worried about risking further injury to their 19-year-old big man, but it looks like there is little to worry about on that front. Drummond was playing very well prior to the injury, averaging at least 8.0 points and 8.3 rebounds in both December and January, before he started hurting in March. The Pisons have little to play for at the end of the season, but it would be nice to see if their two franchise centerpieces, Drummond and Monroe, can develop a nice rapport. If Drummond returns Friday, he would be a solid Fantasy option down the stretch.
News: As expected, Pistons center Andre Drummond was ruled out for Tuesday's contest against the Timberwolves as he continues to work his way back from a back injury. Drummond, who has been sidelined since early February with his injury, has been able to practice with the team and could be back in the lineup as early as this weekend, reports the team's official website.
Analysis: Drummond continues to make strides toward getting back on the floor and he may be able to return sometime over the weekend. That would be a welcome sight for Fantasy owners as the rookie was putting up 7.5 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.8 blocks and 1.3 steals in the 11 games prior to his injury. Keep an eye on his status moving forward. If Drummond can get himself back on the court over the weekend, he would be a great addition for owners heading into Week 23 (April 1-7).
News: Detroit center Andre Drummond (back) will not play Tuesday against Minnesota, reports MLive.com Monday. Drummond has now missed the last three games since getting back to practice last Thursday. He missed 19 games previous to that with the back injury.
Analysis: Fantasy owners should continue to monitor what happens with Drummond, and hopefully he can return prior to the end of the year. He would be a solid boost to Fantasy owners if he can return at 100 percent for the stretch run. Keep an eye on what develops, and if Drummond can return to the court soon then planning on using him to close the season.
News: The Pistons official team website reports that rookie center Andre Drummond is out for Friday's game at Miami and Saturday's game at Charlotte. Drummond, who has missed 19 games prior to Friday with a back injury, was able to practice Thursday on a limited basis.
Analysis: Fantasy owners should continue to monitor what happens with Drummond, and hopefully he can return prior to the end of the year. He would be a solid boost to Fantasy owners if he can return at 100 percent for the stretch run. Keep an eye on what develops, and if Drummond can return to the court soon then planning on using him to close the season.
News: The Detroit Free Press reports that Pistons center Andre Drummond remains without a timetable to return. He didn't sound convinced Wednesday that his injured back would heal in time to play in the final 13 games. "Oh, of course," he said, when asked about wanting to return this season. "I don't want to sit out, but if it has to come to that, then that's what it has to come to. We're just going day by day really." Drummond will miss his 20th game Friday at Miami. "It's just going to take time," coach Lawrence Frank said. "Each day he's able to do a little bit more and he's working very hard, but there's no timetable of him coming back."
Analysis: Fantasy owners should prepare for the idea that Drummond won't return this season because he's a significant part of the Pistons' future, and they don't want to jeopardize his long-term health. We hope he will return and help owners for a playoff run, but continue to stash him until he gets back to 100 percent.
News: Pistons center Andre Drummond (back) will be evaluated prior to Friday's contest against the Heat, reports the Detroit Free-Press. Drummound, who has been sidelined since early February due a strain in his lower back, was able to take part in a light practice session Monday.
Analysis: There seems to a ton of varying opinions in the Pistons' organization regarding what to do about Drummond as some want him shut down for the year, while other are curious to see how he plays alongside Greg Monroe in the lineup with newly acquired Jose Calderon running the point. There are obviously pros and cons to each argument, so owners will have to keep an eye on how things play out moving forward. Drummond was averaging 7.3 points and 7.5 rebounds per game prior to his injury and was looking more polished every time he took the floor. However, the window for him to be able to return to the court and be an effective Fantasy option is starting to close a bit. Still, we would leave him stashed for at least one more week.
News: Pistons center Andre Drummond (back) continues to have an undetermined timetable to return to action for Detroit, reports the team's official site Monday. That said, Drummond was able to go through some light drills during Monday's practice.
Analysis: Drummond is expected to start upon returning to full health and he's worth stashing in most Fantasy formats for that reason alone. Drummond posted averages of 7.3 points and 7.5 rebounds per game and was starting to show some real growth in his game before the injury. Continue to leave the 19-year-old stashed.
News: The Pistons announced Monday center Andre Drummond (back) is progressing, but there is still no timetable for his return. According to the report, Drummond, who has been sidelined since early February due to a stress fracture in his lower back, is expected to enter the second phase of his rehab, which includes conditioning work that will eventually lead to basketball related activities.
Analysis: While it sounds like Drummond is making steady progress in his rehab, it also sounds like he will be returning a lot closer to the six week mark of his original four-to-six week timetable. However, the window for him to be able to return to the court and be an effective Fantasy option is starting to close a bit, so owners need to keep their fingers crossed that he doesn't suffer any type of setback. Drummond posted averages of 7.3 points and 7.5 rebounds per game and was starting to show some real growth in his game. Continue to leave the 19-year-old stashed in deeper formats at this point.
News: With his timetable to return from a back injury hitting the four-week mark Friday, Pistons center Andre Drummond remains sidelined and without an update on his status, the Detroit Free Press reports. Drummond was originally expected to be sidelined roughly four to six weeks after suffering a stress fracture in his lower back on Feb. 3. "We literally have had no discussion whatsoever as to any type of a timetable of when he might be back," assistant coach Brian Hill said. "I just leave that entirely up to (strength and conditioning coach Arnie Kander) to say how things are going and when we might see him."
Analysis: Drummond's injury has stunted the solid strides he made during his first season as he paced all rookies in rebounds (7.5) and was second in blocks (1.7) at the time of the setback. The Pistons were also eager to pair the 6-foot-10 beast with Greg Monroe for the rest of the year to help foster their chemistry in the frontcourt. At just 19, Drummond still holds a wealth of potential and is worth reserving in deeper Fantasy formats for now.
News: The Detroit Free-Press reports that it's nearly four weeks since Pistons center Andre Drummond's initial prognosis of needing four to six weeks to recover from a lower-back stress fracture, though it appears he's not likely to return soon. Coach Lawrence Frank said Drummond is unable to do any conditioning. "Obviously, we're going to proceed with caution," Frank said. "The key is you want to make sure that bone has healed."
Analysis: Fantasy owners should prepare for the idea that Drummond won't return until the end of the season because he's a significant part of the Pistons' future, and they don't want to jeopardize his long-term health. We hope he will return sooner, but continue to stash him until he gets back to 100 percent.
News: After a story surfaced Sunday that Pistons center Andre Drummond (back) could resume basketball-related activities by the end of the week, a team spokesperson shot down the possibility and said there is no change in his timetable, the Detroit News reports. Drummond, who suffered a stress fracture in his tailbone during a game Feb. 6, was originally expected to miss four to six weeks of playing time.
Analysis: Drummond remains involved in the teams' daily activities -- film sessions, team meetings -- but appears unlikely to make his return to the court this week. The former UConn standout has posted averages of 7.3 points and 7.5 rebounds per game while shooting a stellar 59.2 percent from the field. With Detroit clearly in rebuilding mode, it has no reason to rush Drummond back onto the court until he is fully recovered. Fantasy owners should carry him on rosters only in deeper formats at this point as his return date approaches mid-March.
News: Pistons team doctor Ben Paolucci said Sunday that center Andre Drummond has made rapid progress in his recovery from a back injury and could resume basketball-related activities within the next week, the Detroit Free Press reports. Drummond, who suffered a stress fracture in his tailbone during a game Feb. 6, was originally expected to miss four to six weeks of playing time. He did not require surgery on his back.
Analysis: Drummond is considered one of the Pistons' key pieces of their future as the big man has displayed solid strides during his rookie campaign. The former UConn standout has posted averages of 7.3 points and 7.5 rebounds per game while shooting a stellar 59.2 percent from the field. With Detroit clearly in rebuilding mode, it has no reason to rush Drummond back onto the court until he is fully recovered. However, that appears possible before the end of the regular season, barring any setbacks.
News: Pistons center Andre Drummond is expected to be sidelined for at least the next month while he recovers from a fractured tailbone. But that isn't expected to prevent him from continuing his development off the court as the rookie is viewed as a key part to the team's future. Coach Lawrence Frank said Drummond will stay involved in film sessions while nursing his injury. "Right now his job is to get healthy," Frank told the Detroit Free Press on Sunday. "That's his job. He has to do everything he can to rehab and listen, follow the directions of our training staff and doctors to get himself right. ... You turn every negative into a positive, and you get better intellectually and physically when you're injured."
Analysis: Drummond, who was fitted with a custom brace, will be evaluated on a regular basis and is not expected to require surgery on his back. His original timetable to return was four to six weeks, though the Pistons will not rush him back after he was averaging 7.3 points and 7.5 rebounds per game during his first season. "Once he gets where he's a systematic and he doesn't have any pain, we'll be able to start some exercising program," team doctor Ben Paolucci said. With his return not expected until late March, Fantasy owners in most seasonal formats should part with ways with Drummond at this point.
News: Pistons center Andre Drummond has been diagnosed with a fractured tailbone Friday, contrary to earlier reports indicating that he was simply dealing with a bruised back. This injury will likely keep him out until at least the middle of March, with an official timeline of four-to-six weeks being established by the team. The injury is officially being called a stress fracture of the fifth lumbar vertebra.
Analysis: This injury was not considered to be too serious at first, as he returned to the floor briefly in Wednesday’s game before being forced to leave. Clearly, the injury was initially misdiagnosed, with the team considering him a game-time decision right up to tipoff Friday. Now, it looks like one of the game’s budding young stars will miss extensive time, coming right as the rookie was beginning to come into his own. In the 10 games prior to suffering the injury, Drummond was averaging 9.2 points, 9.4 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game. Fantasy owners in most formats will want to let the big man go, however he still retains much of his value in keeper and dynasty formats.
News: Pistons center Andre Drummond was spotted in street clothes prior to Friday’s game against the Spurs, and he will not play due to a back injury, according to the team’s radio broadcast. Drummond has been limited to 13 minutes over the last two games due to the injury, and was forced to leave Wednesday’s game in the first half. Yahoo.com reported prior to the game that Drummond will likely missed "a few weeks", with what has been diagnosed as a bruised back. A specific timetable has not been announced, however the team is expected to release a statement at some point Friday evening.
Analysis: Drummond’s rise to Fantasy relevance has hit a speed bump with this back injury, and it looks like it is going to keep him out for a while. With the All-Star break looming, however, he could sit out two weeks and only miss a few games overall. In the 10 games prior to suffering the injury, Drummond was averaging 9.2 points, 9.4 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game. When healthy, he has emerged as a viable Fantasy starting option. He is worth stashing in the majority of Fantasy formats.
News: Pistons rookie center Andre Drummond, who has battled a back injury all week, met with team doctors Thursday as a precaution, according to the team's official website. No word yet on his status for Friday's game vs. San Antonio. He is being listed as day to day.
Analysis: Drummond has been limited to 13 minutes the last two games because of his back injury. It wouldn't be surprising if the Pistons gave him a chance to rest since he hasn't been a big contributor this week because of the injury. Drummond has been a good defensive presence and rebounder as a rookie, but his offensive skills are still a work in progress. He is more of a mid-level Fantasy start when healthy.
News: Pistons center Andre Drummond left Wednesday's contest against the Nets in the first half after re-injuring his back. Drummond, who left Monday's game with back stiffness, played just five minutes before the early exit. He blocked two shots and posted an assist while not attempting a shot.
Analysis: Drummond has been a decent contributor in Fantasy since coach Lawrence Frank cut him loose but this back injury could sideline him for a few days. Owners will want to keep an eye on his status going forward as the Pistons likely won't push the rookie. Drummond has the potential to be a double-double threat with a larger role but since Greg Monroe blocks that, keep him stashed away in deeper formats until he's able to get back on the court.
News: Pistons center Andre Drummond, who left Monday's game with back stiffness, will play Wednesday vs. Brooklyn, according to the team's official website.
Analysis: The rookie out of UConn has been a bigger contributor for the Pistons since mid-December, but his play isn't at the level yet where Drummond can be considered a must-start Fantasy option. He did have a season-high 107 Fantasy points in Week 14, but it was also the first time in six scoring periods he surpassed 70 Fantasy points. Drummond has a world of potential, but he remains more of a mid-level Fantasy start.
News: Detroit rookie center Andre Drummond left Monday's game in New York in the fourth quarter with a sore back and could not return. Drummond, who had little reason to come back into a game that saw the Knicks winning by double digits, will be considered day to day going forward. He played just eight minutes in the game and was 1 for 6 from the field to score just two points. He apparently injured the back in his last game against the Lakers and said he tweaked it on a bad landing Monday. He expects to be ready for Wednesday against the Nets. Drummond grabbed five rebounds and added a block for the Pistons.
Analysis: Drummond threatens to record double-doubles quite often but he's still not really seeing enough minutes for consistent Fantasy usage. He's gone 5 for 16 from the field in his last two games and that will happen from time to time for the 19-year-old rookie center. He has a big future, but should only be active in deeper Fantasy formats for now, when healthy. This back issue shouldn't keep him out long.
News: Pistons center Andre Drummond had another excellent performance off the bench on Sunday in a loss to the Lakers. Drummond scored nine points on 4 of 10 shooting, but grabbed 11 rebounds and added four blocks over 23 minutes on the floor. He added two steals and an assist for the Pistons.
Analysis: The rookie Drummond is averaging 8.0 points, 10.4 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game over his last five. He's seeing more and more minutes and playing more important minutes as he has been on the court at the end of games. Drummond has fast become a player worth starting in plenty of deeper Fantasy formats.
News: Detroit center Andre Drummond had a huge night on Tuesday in a loss to Milwaukee. Drummond only played 28 minutes in the game but it was clear he had as much talent as anyone on the court for the Pistons. Drummond recorded a monster double-double with 18 points and 18 rebounds. He shot 9 of 15 from the field to lead the Pistons in scoring and added a block, two steals and an assist.
Analysis: The 18 points was Drummond's second-highest scoring total of his career to this point but the 18 boards are a career high. The 19-year-old rookie failed to score over 16 minutes on Sunday in Orlando but came back on Tuesday with a ridiculously good effort. Detroit should really think about giving him more minutes. Drummond should be owned in deeper formats for his rebounding and shot blocking, but he could be nearing must-own status soon enough.
News: Pistons center Andre Drummond entered Sunday's contest against the Magic averaging 9.9 points with eight rebounds and two blocks in his previous eight games. He was not as effective against Orlando, however, and he was held scoreless in 16 minutes off the bench. Drummond missed his lone shot from the field and posted four rebounds with two blocks in the 104-102 win.
Analysis: Drummond saw his least amount of playing time since Dec. 10 on Sunday and put up a goose egg for just the second time in his young career. He had seen his role improve over the last month or so and hopefully he will continue to see steady minutes off the bench going forward. Owners will want to keep an eye on the situation as the rookie has seen his ownership grow steadily in recent weeks. Drummond remains more of an option for deeper Fantasy formats heading into Week 14 (Jan. 28-Feb. 3).
News: Pistons center Andre Drummond continued his recent run of solid play on Tuesday against the Magic. He scored 11 points and hauled in 11 rebounds for his fifth double-double in the last 13 games. Drummond also posted two steals and two blocks in the 105-90 win. He was an efficient 5 of 7 from the field and made 1 of 4 free throws while playing 24 minutes off the bench.
Analysis: Drummond has really turned up his play of late and Fantasy owners have taken notice. He is averaging 11 points with 8.8 rebounds, two blocks and 1.4 steals on nearly 72 percent shooting in the previous five contests. The 19-year-old has seen his ownership grow as a result so continue to monitor his progress going forward. Since he provides some decent production at a thin position in Fantasy and still has a ton of upside, consider adding Drummond in most formats.
News: Pistons center Andre Drummond had another productive performance off the bench on Sunday against the Celtics. He scored 16 points and hauled in seven rebounds in 20 minutes on the court. He was an efficient 5 of 6 from the field and made 6 of 8 free throws. Drummond also posted a steal and a block in the 103-88 win. "I was really proud of Andre, the way he responded when they resort to hack-a-Drummond," coach Lawrence Frank said. "You know you're in the league when they do that."
Analysis: Drummond is shooting a solid 74 percent in his previous five games and is averaging 10.8 points with 7.8 rebounds, 2.2 blocks and one steal during that stretch. The rookie has been impressive despite having a limited role in Detroit and would likely put up serious numbers with more playing time. The Pistons want to being the 19-year-old along slowly, however, so continue to monitor his progress. Drummond is worth keeping active in deeper Fantasy formats at this point.
News: Pistons rookie center Andre Drummond turned in a solid performance as he registered his sixth double-double of the season during Tuesday's contest against the Knicks in London. Drummond scored 11 points and pulled down 10 rebounds in a 102-87 defeat. He went 5 of 7 shooting from the field and converted 1 of 2 free throw attempts on the evening. He also chipped in with two blocks, two steals and an assist while logging 23 minutes of game action.
Analysis: After a slow start to the season Drummond is starting to live up to his expectations as of late, as he has picked up four of his six double-doubles in his last 11 games. In fact, he is nearly averaging a double-double -- 9.1 points and 9.6 boards -- over that span. While he is only seeing around 20 minutes per contest, Drummond is going to force coach Lawrence Frank's hand a bit if he continues to play like this. Fantasy owners should view him as a viable low-end option in deeper formats, especially at a thin position like center, moving forward.
News: Pistons rookie center Andre Drummond turned in another solid performance on the glass during Friday's contest against the Bucks. Drummond pulled down 11 rebounds in the 103-87 defeat -- which was tied with Greg Monroe for most on the team. He also scored eight points on 4 of 7 shooting from the field and also added four blocks to his stat line while logging 17 minutes off the bench.
Analysis: Drummond continues to look like the real deal in Detroit as the rookie has been hitting the glass especially hard of late. He has posted a double-digit rebounding total in six of his last nine games and is averaging 8.5 points and 9.4 boards over that stretch. While he is only seeing around 20 minutes per contest, Drummond is going to force coach Lawrence Frank's hand a bit if he continues to play like this. Fantasy owners should continue to roll with Drummond as a solid low-end option at center in deeper formats at this point.
News:USA Today reports that Detroit rookie center Andre Drummond is considered "untouchable" in trade talks by the team. This report surfaced because Detroit was expected to be interested in acquiring DeMarcus Cousins.
Analysis: Drummond has recorded double-doubles in three of his last five games and is averaging 9.8 points and 10.8 rebounds per game over that span with 1.8 blocks, 1.2 steals and 66 percent shooting from the field. Only seeing 25 minutes per night, that is excellent production. Drummond even helped the Pistons beat the Heat. Still just 19, Drummond has a major future in the NBA and is probably worth starting in most formats at a thin position right now.
News: Pistons center Andre Drummond had a solid performance off the bench on Friday night against the Wizards. He scored 11 points and hauled in a career-high 14 rebounds -- including five on the offensive glass -- in the 100-68 win. The rookie was an efficient 5 of 7 from the floor and went 1 for 4 from the charity stripe while playing 21 minutes. Drummond also posted five blocks, two assists and a steal in the victory.
Analysis: Drummond appears to have a ton of upside in Fantasy but the Pistons continue to bring him along slowly. He is averaging 8.6 points with 9.2 rebounds and three blocks in the previous five games while seeing over 21 minutes in those contests. Keep an eye on his role going forward because if it grows, the 19-year-old will be worth owning in most Fantasy formats. Leave Drummond for deeper leagues at this point, however.
News: Pistons center Andre Drummond was able to deliver a bounce-back performance against the Nuggets Tuesday night. Drummond, who was failed to notch a single rebound or point in his last game, finished with seven points and seven points in the 101-94 defeat. He made three of his four field-goal attempts and also added a pair of steals and one block to his stat line, while logging 21 minutes off the bench.
Analysis: Drummond turned in his worst performance of the season Monday night against the 76ers and was taking heat from coach Lawrence Frank and most Fantasy owners after that effort. However, he showed some real moxie Tuesday night and hopefully got out of the doghouse a bit in the process. While Drummond looks to have all the tools to be a nice Fantasy option, his inconsistent minutes and production are holding him back. Only owners in deeper Rotisserie formats should be rolling with the rookie at this point in the season.
News: Pistons center Andre Drummond turned in another productive performance on the glass during Monday night's contest against the Cavaliers. Drummond pulled down 12 rebounds in the 89-79 win and also added seven points on 3 of 8 shooting from the field. He went just 1 of 4 from the free-throw line but chipped in with three blocks, one steal and one assist while logging 20 minutes off the bench.
Analysis: Drummond continues to do a solid job on the glass as he is averaging 7.8 rebounds over his last five games. He has pulled down at least eight boards in five of his last seven contests and is now averaging over six rebounds on the year. However, he remains a major work in progress on the offensive end of the floor as he has failed to score in double figures in each of his last five games. Still, he is giving owners over a block per game and should continue to be viewed as a solid low-end option in deeper formats, especially Rotisserie ones.
News: Pistons center Andre Drummond registered his first career double-double in Friday's contest against the Raptors. Drummond finished with 13 points and 13 rebounds in the 91-90 win, on 6 of 11 shooting from the field. He went just 1 for 6 at the free-throw line and added two steals to his stat line while logging 24 minutes of game action.
Analysis: Drummond turned in one of his better performances of the season Friday night as the 7-footer showed off his ability to hit the glass. While the rookie has been a part of coach Lawrence Frank's rotation in the early going, he has only been seeing around 15 minutes per game most nights. While Drummond looks to have all the tools necessary to be a viable Fantasy center, he should remain stashed until he starts to see an increase in minutes and production.
News: With the possibility of forming a dynamic frontcourt alongside Greg Monroe, the Pistons have no intentions of straying from the plan to bring center Andre Drummond along slowly during his rookie campaign. Drummond, who turned only 19 last August, is averaging 15.6 minutes per game in the team's first eight games of the season. "We are going to make this a slow process," coach Lawrence Frank told the Detroit News. "To play a lot of minutes, particularly at this level, is hard. ... Our plan is to build it up. It is a whole lot easier to build it up rather than throw it all out there and tear it down and give the kid's confidence away."
Analysis: Drummond and Monroe -- both of whom stand at least 6-foot-10 -- would certainly make it tougher for opponents driving in the paint and perhaps improve the Pistons' league-worst defense. However, Drummond has maintained a limited role off the bench and has not exceeded 22 minutes in a game this season. In one of the games he surpassed 20-plus minutes, the former UConn standout registered 22 points against Oklahoma City's rugged interior defenders. The potential is there for Drummond to shine, but he's only worth a bench spot in deeper Fantasy formats at this point.
News: Pistons center Andre Drummond had the best performance of his young career on Friday night against the Thunder. He scored a team-high 22 points and hauled in eight rebounds -- including five on the offensive glass -- in the 105-94 loss. He was an efficient 8 for 10 from the floor and made 6 of 9 free throws while playing 21 minutes off the bench. Drummond also chipped in with a block and a steal in the defeat. The rookie is now shooting 69 percent (16 for 23) through his first six games.
Analysis: Drummond had scored a combined 19 points entering Friday night but made the most of his time on the court and should see more going forward. Head coach Lawrence Frank finally played the rookie and Greg Monroe together, giving Detroit a formidable frontcourt so keep an eye on how everything plays out. Drummond has a ton of upside in Fantasy and is worth adding in deeper Fantasy formats as he should only continue to progress.
News: Pistons rookie center Andre Drummond only saw 12 minutes of playing time on Tuesday night in a loss at Denver, but he did a lot with those minutes. Drummond scored seven points on 3 of 3 shooting from the field with a 3-pointer. He added two rebounds and two assists for Detroit in the losing effort.
Analysis: The 19-year-old Drummond has a lot of growing up to do before the Pistons start trusting him with big minutes, it seems. Still, he's gone 8 for 13 from the field in the early going and is averaging over a block per game. Drummond could gain enough Fantasy value to begin starting in very deep formats if he starts seeing more time on the floor.
News: Pistons rookie center Andre Drummond could not continue his strong preseason play when the games matters, as he made little impact in Wednesday’s season opener against the Rockets. Drummond played just 13 minutes in his pro debut, scoring two points on 1 of 1 shooting. He had two rebounds, two steals and a block in the game, as the Pistons fell, 105-96.
Analysis: Drummond was aggressive and physical in the preseason, and he opened a lot of eyes. The knock on him coming out of the University of Connecticut was that he had an inconsistent motor and suffered from a lack of effort at times. It was hard to tell if those issues carried into play Wednesday, as the barely saw the floor. His role should improve moving forward, but he will clearly have some nights where the coaching staff does not trust him. Drummond has a world of potential, but until he sees consistent playing time, he is just a bench option in deeper Fantasy formats.
News: After investing a top-10 pick on him during the previous NBA draft, the Pistons appear all in on helping turn center Andre Drummond into a standout force in the paint. Drummond posted 13 points and 10 rebounds during the team's preseason win over Atlanta last Friday, but the team was most encouraged by his his ability positing up against the Hawks' larger post players. "The great thing about Andre, why we have such huge faith in what he's going to be, is that he's a phenomenal young man," coach Lawrence Frank told the Detroit Free Press. "He's as coachable of a guy as we have. So anything that he struggles with, we have unbelievable faith that he's going to get it, because of the strength of his character."
Analysis: Drummond finished the preseason with solid averages of 9.0 points and 5.9 rebounds per game despite seeing just limited playing time in the rotation. But he has the physical tools -- 6-foot-10, 270 pounds -- to bring some stability in the post for the Pistons, especially on defense with his impressive wingspan. "He's working hard," starting power forward Jason Maxiell said. "He's got his motor going right. He needs to be more physical down low and be a lot stronger and more verbal out there." Drummond's minutes could be sporadic at the start of the season and he should be viewed as a bench option in most Fantasy formats while he works on his game.
News: Pistons’ first-round pick Andre Drummond came off the bench for Wednesday’s season opener against the Raptors. The center out of the University of Connecticut played 23 minutes off the bench, and finished with 12 points on 6 of 8 shooting in a 101-99 win. Drummond also grabbed seven rebounds, blocked a pair of shots and had two steals.
Analysis: Nobody doubts the pure physical tools Drummond brings to the table. He is close to seven-feet tall and has incredible athletic ability and a huge wingspan. He should be a game-changer on the defensive end some day soon. His intangibles, as well as a lackluster showing as a freshman at UConn, are what led to him dropping to No. 9 in the draft this season. Drummond averaged 10.0 points and 7.6 rebounds with 2.7 blocks per game, but his lack of shooting touch was an issue. He shot 53.8 percent from the field despite consistently being the biggest man on the floor, and his free-throw shooting was abysmal, at 29.5 percent. Drummond may take a while to translate at the NBA level, but he has tremendous value as a long-term Fantasy keeper. He is worth a late-round pick on Draft Day in most Fantasy league, but don't expect much production right away.
