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Knicks Rumors: The Only Players Worth A Max Contract

By Maxwell Ogden

Dec 17, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) guards Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) in the first quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) guards Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) in the first quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 24, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) takes a shot during the first quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 24, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) takes a shot during the first quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /

The Future Superstar: Andre Drummond, RFA

Position: Center
Age: 22 (8/10/1993)
Slash Line: .521/.333/.355
Season Averages:  32.9 MPG, 16.2 PPG, 14.8 RPG, 4.9 ORPG, 1.5 SPG, 1.4 BPG

Andre Drummond is a 22-year-old phenom who just led the league in rebounding and made the All-NBA Third Team. Thus, while he may not be a superstar today, it’d be entirely understandable for a team to hand him a max contract in 2016.

The bad news for the New York Knicks: Drummond is a restricted free agent, and the Detroit Pistons will likely match any offer he receives.

Drummond was far and away the best rebounder in the NBA during the 2015-16 season. His 14.8 rebounds per game were 1.0 higher than the next leading player, and his 21.6 rebounds per 48 minutes were 2.0 higher.

The Mount Vernon native also averaged a league-leading 4.9 offensive rebounds per game, with DeAndre Jordan checking in at No. 2 with 3.5.

Furthermore, Drummond diversified his offensive game by adding a paralyzing drop-step to his face-up attack. In turn, he averaged 16.2 points on 52.1 percent shooting from the field for the postseason-bound Detroit Pistons.

Detroit is all but guaranteed to re-sign Drummond, but the Knicks should still extend a max contract offer for due diligence’s sake.

Next: Established Superstar

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