The James Harden-to-Brooklyn-Nets blockbuster trade couldn't have been worse news for Cleveland Cavaliers center Andre Drummond.
The Cavs received 22-year-old Jarrett Allen as part of the four-team deal and clearly view him as their center of the future. With Allen in their long-term plans, the front office wants to preserve Drummond's health ahead of the March 25 NBA trade deadline and will have him take a seat. ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski and Brian Windhorst reported Monday morning that the Cavs won't play Drummond as they try to trade him.
That means the two-time All-Star won't play Monday night against the Warriors at Chase Center.
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Drummond, 27, is averaging 17.5 points, 13.5 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game for the Cavs this season. But he didn't play Sunday against the Los Angeles Clippers. He only played just 16 minutes Wednesday against the Denver Nuggets and 17 Friday against the Portland Trail Blazers.
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Since joining the Cavs, Allen is averaging a career-high 13.2 points per game. He also is averaging 7.5 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game for Cleveland.
With no healthy centers on the roster right now, Allen could be a problem for the Warriors. Golden State also will go up against friendly foe JaVale McGee, who is averaging 7.8 points and 5.7 rebounds for the Cavs this season. McGee won two championships with the Warriors, and another last season with the Los Angeles Lakers.
