Andre Drummond expects Greg Monroe back with Detroit Pistons

By Sam Richmond | Jul 4, 2014

Apr 16, 2014; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Greg Monroe (10) drives to the basket against Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka (9) during the first quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

As one of the best big men of the current free agency class, Greg Monroe is poised to receive interest from multiple teams this summer. Still, Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond said he believes that the Georgetown product will be back in Detroit, where he spent the first four seasons of his career, next year.

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From MLive.com:

"“He’s got to go through his process of what he wants to do but I’d love to have him back,” Drummond said about Monroe on Friday, on the eve of the Pistons’ opening game at Orlando Pro Summer League. “I’d do whatever it takes to get him back.“It comes down to what he wants to do. I told him, ‘I can’t stop you if you want to go.’ But he loves it here (in Detroit), so I feel like he’s going to come back.”"

What bodes well for the Pistons’ chances of bringing back Monroe is that he is a restricted free agent, meaning Detroit can match any free agent offer given to him. The power forward averaged 15.2 points and 9.3 rebounds per game last season.

Drummond also spoke his mind about another Pistons hot topic, giving his opinion that the Pistons won’t trade Josh Smith, despite rumors suggesting Detroit is giving strong consideration of doing so.

"The Pistons also have shopped Josh Smith on the trade market, though Drummond said he questioned the prospect of moving last summer’s major free-agent acquisition after one season.“I highly doubt that,” Drummond said. “I don’t see that happening. I just don’t see it happening.”"

Whether the Pistons have both Smith and Monroe back, or neither, fans of the team can take pleasure in the fact that Drummond, who has emerged as one of the best young players in all of basketball, will surely be in a Detroit uniform in 2014-15.