Cavs' Bickerstaff: Players entitled to opinions over Drummond situation

Cavaliers head coach J.B. Bickerstaff addressed complaints about Cleveland's decision to bench Andre Drummond while the team seeks out a trade.

"Nobody's opinion should be muted,'' Bickerstaff told reporters Wednesday, courtesy of ESPN. "Obviously, there's conversations that we've had with our guys as far as this process goes that everybody's not privy to.

"But again, guys have a right to speak their voice, and organizations have to do what's best for the organization. I think that's kind of how it works, and it shouldn't be a two-way street, so to speak.''

Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green has been the most vocal critic of the Cavaliers announcing their intentions to trade Drummond.

Green argued Tuesday that it isn't fair that players are forced to acquiesce in situations such as Drummond's but they can be heavily scrutinized or fined by the league for publicly requesting a trade themselves, citing examples involving James Harden and Anthony Davis.

"To watch Andre Drummond, before the game, sit on the sidelines, then go to the back, and to come out in street clothes because a team is going to trade him, it's bullshit," Green said.

However, Bickerstaff says Drummond has remained in good spirits despite the decision.

"He's been great,'' Bickerstaff said. "He was in the locker room at halftime having conversations with the guys about what he saw on the floor. He was there after the game. He's been tremendous through this whole thing, and it's not easy.''

Drummond, 27, is earning $28.8 million this campaign and will become an unrestricted free agent in the offseason. He's averaging 17.5 points and 13.5 rebounds in 25 games for the Cavaliers.