Report: Drummond exercising $28.7M option to stay with Cavs

Andre Drummond is bypassing free agency and exercising his $28.7-million player option to remain with the Cleveland Cavaliers, sources told Marc Stein of The New York Times.

It was an expected move, as Drummond said in June that he'd likely opt in. However, the big man and the Cavs are reportedly far apart in preliminary discussions regarding a contract extension.

Cleveland head coach J.B. Bickerstaff recently said he's had discussions with Drummond involving his future with the team, and that the club has "huge expectations for him," according to Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com.

But the Cavaliers could also use Drummond's contract as a trade asset. The former first-round pick will likely be involved in trade rumors during the upcoming campaign.

Drummond, 27, averaged 17.7 points and 15.2 rebounds per game last season. Cleveland acquired him from the Detroit Pistons at last year's trade deadline.