CLEVELAND — Editor's note: the video in the player above is from March 25, 2021.
The Cleveland Cavaliers failed to trade Andre Drummond ahead of Thursday's 3 p.m. ET deadline.
As expected, however, the two-time All-Star's time in Cleveland is still coming to an end, with Yahoo Sports' Chris Haynes reporting that the Cavs and Drummond will work toward a buyout.
A buyout between Cleveland and Drummond has long been expected considering the complexities involved with attempting to deal the 27-year-old center. With Drummond possessing a $28.75 million salary, the Cavs were ultimately unable to find a trade partner both willing to take on that figure without sending Cleveland long-term salary in return.
But while the Cavs weren't able to find a trade partner for Drummond, it likely won't take long for the Connecticut product to find a new team once he hits the open market. In the weeks leading up to Thursday's deadline, the four-time rebounding champion has been linked to a plethora of teams, including the Los Angeles Lakers, Brooklyn Nets, Dallas Mavericks and New York Knicks.
Acquired from the Detroit Pistons in exchange for the expiring contracts of John Henson and Brandon Knight a season ago, Drummond appeared in 33 games over the course of his two seasons in Cleveland, averaging 17.5 points and 12.9 rebounds. Last month, the Cavs and Drummond mutually decided to have him stop playing as Cleveland sought a trade that ultimately never happened.
More Cleveland Cavaliers coverage:
On Thursdays's Locked on Cavs Chris Manning and Evan Dammarell take a look back at the Cavs' win over the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday and preview the upcoming NBA trade deadline.
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