Andre Drummond traded to Cleveland Cavaliers for Brandon Knight, John Henson

In the final hour before the NBA trade deadline, Andre Drummond’s eight-year tenure with the Pistons looks to be at an end. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, of course, had the first report that the big man is headed to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Several reports have been coming in over Twitter on the return, which is said to be Brandon Knight and John Henson. Knight makes his return after spending his first two seasons in the league with the Pistons before being traded to Milwaukee as part of the Brandon Jennings deal.

Both Knight and Henson are on expiring contracts. Their cumulative total gives the Pistons a little breathing room under the luxury tax this year, and ensures Detroit roughly $35 million in money under the cap this offseason.

Based on the paltry return, it’s clear that Detroit was wary of the chances Drummond would opt into his contract and soak up about $28 million of its cap space.

Since the roster is currently full, a corresponding move will be necessary to get the roster down to 15 players.

The included draft compensation can always be a bit fuzzy in the early reports. It’s reportedly a weak second round pick in 2023, which will be a rather sour sweetener for some Pistons fans.

After eight years with the Pistons, Andre Drummond leaves the franchise as the career leader in offensive rebounds, second in total rebounds, fifth in steals, third in blocks, and seventh in win shares.