The Detroit Pistons finished each of the last two seasons with the worst record in the NBA. Additionally, they have not won a playoff game since 2008. In the last 16 years, they have been a bottom team in the league time and time again. However, this apparently does not mean certain players did not enjoy playing for the team. Most notably, former Pistons big man Andre Drummond recently spoke highly of the team and the city.
Nearly five years since the Pistons traded him to the Cleveland Cavaliers, Drummond admitted that he wants to retire as a member of the team. In a recent interview on Run Your Race (YouTube link), the current Philadelphia 76ers center explained his aspirations to end his career with the Pistons.
“My time in Detroit was historic, man. I grew up so much there. I met some of my best friends there. I built a relationship with the fan base and the community in Detroit. I always said I want to finish my career there. When I retire, I want to finish in Detroit, because that’s where I started, and I want to finish there. Detroit is home for me. I still have a house in Detroit because of the connection I have with the city. I went there at 17, and by the time I left, I was 27, 28. It was a place where I became a man. I feel like the city embraced me, and I embraced the city. Detroit is special to me. I want to retire a Piston. That’s always been my goal.”
Former Pistons Star Reveals He Wants to Retire With Team
Andre Drummond’s Detroit Pistons Career
Drummond played for the Pistons for the eight seasons of his career from 2012 to 2020. He has played for multiple teams since, but there is no denying that Drummond played his best basketball in Detroit. As a Piston, the New York native was a two-time All-Star, a four-time rebounding champion, and a one-time All-NBA Third Team selection. Additionally, he finished in the top 15 of Defensive Player of the Year voting three times.
The big man helped lead the Pistons to the playoffs twice during his career. Once in 2016 and another time in 2019. Both playoff appearances ended in sweeps at the hands of the No. 1 seed that year. This included a playoff sweep against the eventual champion Cavaliers in 2016.
With the Pistons, Drummond developed a reputation as one of the best rebounding big men in recent NBA history. He is still a solid player today. However, his time in Detroit was his peak and very special to Drummond himself.
The Last Word On Andre Drummond
It is always a nice thing when players want to retire with the same team they began their career with. Based on Drummond’s comments, it is hard to tell if he aims to have another playing stint in Detroit, or if he simply wants to sign a ceremonial one-day contract to end his career with the team. Drummond is only 31 and signed a two-year contract with the 76ers this offseason. At this point, retirement is not likely in Drummond’s near future. Regardless, it will be something worth monitoring each offseason, especially any time Drummond is a free agent.
