Detroit Pistons: Andre Drummond, three-point shooter?

Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond’s offensive game has improved since entering the NBA but what about adding a three-point shot?

Andre Drummond entered the NBA as a promising but young and raw big man. In his six seasons with the Detroit Pistons, he has turned himself into a functional offensive player while becoming the game’s most dominant rebounder. The development may have not have come at a pace to everyone’s liking but there is no denying the development of some post moves to go along with an above average passing ability.

So what’s next?

Pistons.com’s Keith Langlois recently took on a mailbag question about whether new head coach Dwane Casey might allow Andre Drummond to take more jump shots and, more specifically, three-point shots. That might seem like a silly question on the surface, but it’s actually pretty interesting.

Langlois offered the following answer:

"Casey spoke at his introductory press conference of the discussions he’d already had with Pistons players about how he envisions them playing offensively and he mentioned shooting more 3-pointers than last year’s team. I doubt he views Drummond as one of the players who’ll help the Pistons get there. He also said he spoke with them about the “shot spectrum” with an emphasis on seeking the most efficient shots. For Drummond, that is undeniably put-backs, lob dunks and post attempts that start with both feet in the paint. Casey, however, did allow Jonas Valanciunas to shoot 3-pointers in Toronto and Valanciunas – who attempted 74 last season after shooting a total of four in his first five NBA seasons – wound up hitting 40 percent. If Drummond knocks a few down early, I’d expect Casey to follow a similar path. But I’d take the under if 74 is the over/under bet for Drummond’s 3-point tries next season."

The example of Valanciunas is a good one. He isn’t a guy who was already taking a few threes and eventually turned into the guy who took 74 last season while connecting on 40.5%. The three-point shot was a totally non-existent part of his game prior to last season.

Let’s be clear about one thing right from the start: it is not going to ever be a good idea for Drummond to be taking long two-point jump shot. It’s just not a rewarding shot for just about anyone to take compared to a short two or a three. That being said, it’s not out of the question that Drummond could add the dimension of a three-point shot.

It’s doubtful his percentage would ever be such that it is a good option, but could be good enough to occasionally warrant the risk-reward of the extra point compared to a long two-point jumper. Just being able to have him catch and shoot an open three without cringing at the shot would be big. The more Drummond is able to space the floor offensively, the better the odds that he and Blake Griffin can co-exist effectively.

Fans keeping tabs on Drummond’s offseason via social media will have already seen him putting in work to develop his game on the offensive end, including a variety of looks from beyond the arc.

https://twitter.com/AndreDrummond/status/998655587998105601

https://twitter.com/AndreDrummond/status/998657190205509632

Next: Detroit Pistons all-time roster

Drummond proved he is capable of drastic improvement to parts of his game that need it. We saw that last season in a big way with his massive improvement from the free throw line. Drummond won’t be confused for Chauncey Billups when toeing the stripe, but improving from a free throw percentage in the 30s to 60.5% last season meant intentionally fouling Drummond was no longer a sound strategy, allowing him to stay in the game in critical situations.