Andre Drummond has agreed to sign a five-year, $130 million contract extension with the Detroit Pistons, according to Marc Stein of ESPN. The deal is done.
“I’m happy for (Andre),” said Detroit forward Marcus Morris, who is in Orlando watching the Pistons during summer-league play. “I think he deserves it. He’s a cornerstone of the Pistons, we’re building around him. I think it was a great move and I’m happy that they got it done.”
There is a player option for Drummond after the fourth year of the contract.
"I think he's had a great year, an All-Star, more double-doubles (than anyone else in the NBA), and when you look at the other centers in the league -- everybody's got something (a weakness) but I'm proud of the 22-year-old man," Detroit owner Tom Gores said.
Free agency began Friday at 12:01 AM ET and the Pistons moved quickly. All in all, Detroit was able to lock up the 22-year-old by Friday afternoon.
The Pistons, with Drummond, will be ready to make a move in the Eastern Conference after finishing as the No. 8 seed in the 2015-16 season. With Reggie Jackson, Drummond, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Stanley Johnson, Tobias Harris and Marcus Morris, Detroit has a promising young core on their hands.
The 7-foot, 280-pound big man shot a horrible 35.5 percent from the free throw line last season, which is the biggest weakness of the 6-foot-11, 280-pound center. However, the 22-year-old led the league with 66 double-doubles last year and averaged 16.2 points, 14.8 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 1.4 blocks and 1.5 steals.
The deal can't be officially signed until a league wide moratorium on signings and trades is lifted July 7, but sources said any outstanding minor details would be wrapped up later Friday.