Andre Drummond's Resurgence: Sixers' Smart Move

Andre Drummond's Resurgence: The Sixers' Smart Move

Last offseason, the Philadelphia 76ers faced a pivotal decision regarding veteran center Andre Drummond. After a season marred by injuries that limited his effectiveness, there were murmurs of a potential salary dump to free up cap space. Instead, the Sixers wisely chose to retain him on his two-year, $10 million contract—a decision now paying significant dividends as injuries mount.

Drummond, who became a fan favorite during his previous stint with the team, struggled immensely in 2024-25. A nagging toe injury hampered his production, limiting him to career-worst averages of 7.3 points and 7.8 rebounds while shooting just 50% from the field. This season, however, the 14-year veteran is rediscovering his dominant form, proving invaluable to a team navigating significant injury challenges.

Stepping Up When It Matters Most

With star center Joel Embiid sidelined by right knee soreness and rookie Adem Bona also out with an ankle injury, Drummond has been thrust into an expanded role. On November 19th against the Los Angeles Clippers, he delivered a season-high performance with 14 points, 18 rebounds, and a crucial three-pointer in the fourth quarter. His 38 minutes of action represented a season-high, outdueling Clippers center Ivica Zubac (14 points, 13 rebounds) in a battle of the bigs.

"What everybody's known for my 14 seasons of playing is getting a lot of rebounds and finishing in the paint. And if I do get a three, it's like one of those Hail Mary things. If I'm open, I make it," Drummond told reporters. "But now I'm getting it in the flow of the offense, and I'm knocking down big shots."

More Than Just Rebounds

While Drummond has always been a premier rebounder—ranking among the NBA's most prolific in his generation—this season has brought an unexpected development: his three-point shooting. Prior to 2025-26, he had never made more than five threes in a single season. Already, he has seven in just 12 games—two more than Ben Simmons made across his entire career.

His improved shooting is forcing defenses to respect him beyond the paint, which opens up opportunities for his teammates. The Sixers, who were the NBA's worst-rebounding team last season, are now middle-of-the-pack thanks largely to Drummond's 3.2 offensive rebounds per game. He hauled in five offensive rebounds against the Clippers alone.

A Valuable Insurance Policy

For a team that has cycled through unreliable backups like Greg Monroe, Amir Johnson, and DeAndre Jordan for most of Embiid's tenure, Drummond's presence represents a massive upgrade. He's not just a spot starter; he's a viable option who can provide quality minutes when Embiid is on the bench or injured.

Imagine where the Sixers would be without Drummond right now. With Embiid and Bona both sidelined, they would have been forced to rely on a rookie with limited experience. Instead, Drummond has provided stability and production, preventing a potential collapse during a critical stretch.

Looking Ahead

The Sixers still need Embiid healthy to make a deep playoff run, but navigating the regular season is the first step. Drummond's resurgence gives them the flexibility to manage Embiid's minutes without sacrificing performance. If he continues this trajectory, the Sixers will be glad they kept him rather than chasing short-term cap flexibility.

As his confidence grows, so does his impact. The Sixers made a gamble by retaining Drummond, and so far, it's one that's paying off handsomely.