Andre Drummond gave the Knicks 10 points and 12 rebounds in the 100-106 loss to the 76ers, one of the few lines worth keeping from banner night. His rebounding is elite, but a -3.2 net rating last season says the rest of his minutes have to get cleaner.
The Glass Man
Bradley is gone, and the Knicks have three centers left: Towns, Wiseman and Drummond. Drummond made his case first. He posted 10 points and 12 rebounds against Philadelphia on a night Brunson scored 7. The New York Post's Jared Schwartz has written about Towns' "continued foul trouble," and every whistle on Towns sends more minutes to the backup. Drummond is the backup who has to hold up.
The Line
Last season he played 63 games at 19.5 minutes, with 6.4 points, 8.4 rebounds, 0.8 blocks, 0.6 steals and 1.0 turnovers a night. He shot 47.2% from the field. He hit 35.6% from three on 1.4 attempts, which is a real wrinkle for a 14-year big. The free throws are the problem. At 63.1%, he gives late-game defenses an easy reason to foul him.
The Catch
The advanced numbers back up the reputation and the doubts. His rebound rate of 20.2% is a weapon, and a 14.3% usage rate says he doesn't hunt shots. His true shooting sat at 53.9%. But his offensive rating of 110.3 against a defensive rating of 113.6 left him at -3.2. He wins extra possessions, then gives some back on the other end. Posting and Toasting built its opening-night piece on his "bipolarity." Fair. Both versions of him showed up.
The Price
He costs $2.4M for 2026-27. On a $220.4M payroll that sits $20M past the $200.4M tax threshold, that is the cheapest kind of help this front office can buy. He is not on the injury report. Nobody is asking him to carry this team. The Knicks need him available and disciplined, and they need him to stop bleeding points.
Bottom Line
Tonight in Boston he sees Neemias Queta, who averaged the same 8.4 rebounds last season in 25.3 minutes. That is the job in miniature: win the glass against a starter, protect the rim and keep the floor clean when Towns sits with fouls. Twenty steady minutes, no empty possessions, no free points at the line. Do that and he is a bargain. Drift and Wiseman gets the call.
How much is Andre Drummond paid by the Knicks this season?
Drummond is paid $2.4M for 2026-27. That is a small number on a payroll of $220.4M.
What were Andre Drummond's stats last season?
He averaged 6.4 points, 8.4 rebounds and 0.8 blocks in 19.5 minutes over 63 games. He shot 47.2% from the field and 63.1% from the line.
