Dwane Casey on Andre Drummond, Pistons: 'We all have to decide what's important'

DETROIT — Dwane Casey talked Tuesday about benching Andre Drummond in the fourth quarter and OT of the Pistons loss to the Pelicans.

"We all have to decide what's important, and if it's important to compete. Not only just Andre. It's everybody," he said.

Casey made it clear, his message wasn't just for Drummond. As the trade deadline approaches, Drummond's name continues to be discussed in trade speculation.

"Not only are you auditioning for us. You're auditioning for 29 other teams. Your negotiating power is what you put on the floor," Casey said he told the players.

He shared one note about his conversation with the team recently, leading up to the trade deadline.

"Every player I've been with: Dirk Nowitzki, Gary Payton, Shawn Kemp, everybody's been in a rumor. So we get excited, 'Oh!' No. It could happen, it could not happen, but we still have a job to do," Casey said.

Drummond has a player option on his contract for next season. He's said he would like to explore free agency, but recently told reporters he would like to finish what he started in Detroit.

Reports have surfaced tying the Hawks, Mavericks, and Knicks to interest in Drummond over the last month.

"If you're in this league long enough, and you're productive, and you're a good player, there's a pretty good chance your name is probably gonna be in the trade rumors," Casey added.