Andre Drummond Reveals Major Bulls Free Agency Plans

Andre Drummond plans to return to the Chicago Bulls next season. The NBA star told the Paper Route podcast by I AM ATHLETE that he intends to opt into his player option for the 2023-24 season.

“As of now, that’s what my plan is,” Drummond said.

The two-time All-Star signed a two-year, $6.6 million contract with the Bulls in July 2022. Drummond will make $3.4 million next season.

“In the grand scheme of things, I’m at a point where I enjoy where I’m at,” Drummond said. “I love playing in Chicago. The team is great. I think we just needed more time to build chemistry together. We had a lot of injuries. There wasn’t really any consistency with our unit because guys were in and out of lineups. I think with a fresh year I think we’ll be fine.”

Drummond averaged 6.0 points and 6.6 rebounds for the Bulls this season while shooting 60.6% from the field. Chicago, after making the playoffs in 2022, missed the postseason this year. The team won the 9-10 play-in game against the Toronto Raptors but lost the 8-9 play-in game to the Miami Heat, who are in the NBA Finals versus the Denver Nuggets.

If Nikola Vucevic re-signs with the Bulls this offseason, Drummond will be Chicago’s backup center again. Vucevic becomes an unrestricted free agent this offseason.

“I think it’s just a matter of chance,” Drummond said. “Getting that chance to really showcase myself again with the team and really put myself back out there again.”

Drummond has career averages of 13.2 points and 12.7 rebounds with the Detroit Pistons, Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers, Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets and Bulls. The New York native is one of the best rebounders in NBA history. Drummond is 13th all-time in rebounds per game.