Knicks Tap Veteran Drummond to Bolster Frontcourt After Robinson’s Departure
The New York Knicks have moved to address their frontcourt needs, reportedly signing veteran center Andre Drummond to a one-year, $3.9 million contract on Friday. This move comes as the team looks to fill the void left by Mitchell Robinson, who departed to the division rival Boston Celtics.
Drummond, who spent the last two seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers, brings significant experience, entering his 15th season in the league. His veteran presence and rebounding prowess were key factors in New York’s decision, according to SNY’s Ian Begley. He is recognized as an all-time rebounder, boasting a career rebound rate of 25%, the highest ever recorded.
Last season, Drummond played 62 games for the 76ers, securing 20.2% of all missed shots while on the court, ranking him second in the league in rebound rate. Interestingly, Robinson led the league in the same category, grabbing 21.4% of misses. While their rebounding contributions were notably similar, their offensive games present some distinctions. Robinson is known for his high shooting percentage (72.3%) on close-range finishes, whereas Drummond, despite a lower field goal percentage (47.2%), offers a slightly more varied offensive game beyond screens and offensive boards.
Another notable difference lies in free-throw accuracy. Drummond converted 63.1% of his free throws during the regular season and 70% in the playoffs, a significant contrast to Robinson’s 40% in the regular season and 29% in the playoffs.
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