Pistons owner: Locking up Drummond 'is a top priority'

Detroit Pistons star Andre Drummond could become a free agent this offseason if he chooses to opt out of his current deal.

However, Pistons owner Tom Gores hopes to lock him up long term before Drummond even reaches that stage.

"You guys know - many years in a row - how committed I am to Andre, so it is a top priority," Gores told reporters Monday, including Jeff Riger of 97.1 FM "The Ticket."

Gores has known Drummond since the club drafted him ninth overall in 2012 as a raw 18-year-old prospect out of UConn.

The big man has blossomed into a two-time All-Star and topped the league in rebounding over the past two seasons, including three of the past four campaigns overall.

Gores is equally impressed with the strides Drummond has made off the court and has developed a solid relationship with the 6-foot-11 center.

"We know how dedicated we are to each other," Gores said, according to ESPN. "I've said it many times: He's very underrated in a lot of ways for what he does, and culturally he's been so good for this team, just in terms of his attitude, and just watching him really grow up."

Drummond averaged 17.3 points, 15.6 boards, 1.7 steals, and 1.7 blocks per contest last season. He holds a $28.7-million player option for the 2020-21 campaign.

During a recent public appearance, though, Drummond all but confirmed he will test the free-agent waters next summer and could be one of the bigger names available in a weak class.