HoopsHype.com Rumors

Frank Isola: Heard Hakeem is working with Andre Drummond. Good. But Amare? He be better off saving his money. (There are rumors Hakeem charges $100,000) Twitter @FisolaNYDN

Detroit Pistons, Hakeem Olajuwon, Andre Drummond 

Pistons big men Andre Drummond and Greg Monroe are among the players invited to USA Basketball’s July minicamp. The organization announced the 27-man roster this afternoon that includes the past two rookies of the year in point guards Kyrie Irving and Damian Lillard. The invite is considered a possible steppingstone for players to represent the U.S. at the 2014 World Cup in Madrid and the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. “It’s an honor to be invited to participate in the Team USA camp along with this group of great young players,” Drummond said in the team release. “I’m looking forward to the experience and hope to learn from it.” Detroit Free Press

Detroit Pistons, Greg Monroe, USA Basketball, Andre Drummond 

It gets better: Later on Tuesday, Hibbert challenged Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond to duplicate his feat. Drummond later responded, saying “it’s on I’m going to do it! Give me a few hours!” ... However, we’ve yet to see a Vine of Drummond taking Hibbert’s challenge. Detroit Free Press

Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, Roy Hibbert, Andre Drummond 

The Detroit Pistons announced today that Andre Drummond will be their representative at the NBA draft lottery Tuesday in New York. The event will be broadcast live on ESPN at 8 p.m. Detroit Free Press

Detroit Pistons, Draft, Andre Drummond 

Jeff Zillgitt: NBA All-Rookie second team: Andre Drummond, Jonas Valanciunas, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Kyle Singler, Tyler Zeller. Twitter @JeffZillgitt

Kyle Singler, Jonas Valanciunas, Tyler Zeller, Andre Drummond, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist 

Is "The Dream" in Andre Drummond's future? Hall of Fame center Hakeem Olajuwon, one of the game's all-time great offensive players, is expected to work with the Pistons' center-forward over the summer to help him with his offensive game, which is still in the infant stages. USA Today Sports

Detroit Pistons, Hakeem Olajuwon, Andre Drummond 

Keith Langlois: This teaser on @Andre Drummond. Plans not final, but he's reached out to Hakeem Olajuwon for a summer session with the HOFer in Houston. Twitter

Detroit Pistons, Hakeem Olajuwon, Andre Drummond 

Andre Drummond: Congrats to my boy @Damian Lillard on getting rookie of the year! Great season bro! instagram.com/p/Yyfx2oyMY8/ Twitter @DRE_DRUMMOND_

Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, Andre Drummond, Damian Lillard 

Andre Drummond: Damn I feel crazy i went into Victoria's secret alone! You better love me for this one mom..... Twitter @DRE_DRUMMOND_

Detroit Pistons, Andre Drummond 

Keith Langlois: Sprained right ankle for @DRE_DRUMMOND_ and he's day to day with just 2 games left Twitter

Detroit Pistons, Injuries, Andre Drummond 

Andre Drummond's long-awaited first NBA start finally will happen tonight when the Detroit Pistons face the Toronto Raptors in a 7:30 game at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Drummond has missed the last 22 games while recovering from a stress fracture in his fifth lumbar vertebra. Booth Newspapers

Detroit Pistons, Andre Drummond 

Despite going through another full-contact practice Monday, Pistons center Andre Drummond will not return to the lineup for Tuesday's game against Minnesota. The rookie, who has missed the past 21 games with a back injury, said he felt "no pain at all" after Monday's practice, but coach Lawrence Frank denied reports that he would return for the Pistons' next game. "He's not starting, nor playing," Frank said. "He's on course to get back, and we'll just read it. It's very encouraging what you see, but as much as you try to simulate it, practice isn't an NBA game. He's working hard, and it's great to see him back on the court." Drummond hasn't played since Feb. 6, and the Pistons have gone 6-15 without the 19-year-old, first-round pick in the lineup. "Today was another step for me. I felt a lot better and didn't get as tired," he said. "I'm going day by day, and whenever I get the green light is when I'll go." Detroit News

Detroit Pistons, Injuries, Andre Drummond 

Detroit Pistons rookie center Andre Drummond participated in team-related activities at Monday's shootaround for the first time since he was sidelined by a back injury. Pistons coach Lawrence Frank, after nearly two weeks away from the team, said Drummond's progress was noticeable and "he got up and down the court a little bit" Monday morning, before a 119-82 loss to the Brooklyn Nets. "I think any time you start to reintegrate a guy with your team, that's a positive thing," Frank said. "I think he's definitely on the right track. Obviously, we've been very conservative with this for very intelligent reasons. I think we'll just continue ... to up his work level every day." Booth Newspapers

Detroit Pistons, Injuries, Andre Drummond 

Andre Drummond will be evaluated before Friday's game against the Miami Heat, and a return could be on the horizon as he recovers from his back injury. "What I'll do is talk with Arnie (Kander) and see what he can do," Frank said. "If a guy's healthy you want him to play. Especially a young guy. If he's not healthy you don't do that. We're paid to play. If Andre's healthy enough, he'll be on the court." There are some who feel the Pistons should keep Drummond on the shelf for the rest of the season, but he's attacked his rehab and the Pistons would love to see how he pairs with Greg Monroe and Jose Calderon, so they won't hold him back. "If the doctors give him the heads up and everybody's comfortable with it, we'd love to get him back on the floor," Frank said. Detroit News

Detroit Pistons, Injuries, Andre Drummond 

He doesn't get involved in personnel matters but, unsolicited, he went to the front office during the college basketball season and asked the Pistons to take a long hard look at Andre Drummond. "I mean, there's always somebody every year who can help your team," Monroe said. "I'm not sure of everyone who's a (free agent) but there's someone who can help us." Detroit News

Detroit Pistons, Free Agency, Greg Monroe, Andre Drummond 

David Aldridge: Pistons say docs are "pleased" w/Andre Drummond’s recovery from back injury; he will increase rehab/conditioning. No timetable 4 his return. Twitter @daldridgetnt

Detroit Pistons, Andre Drummond 

Andre Drummond: The @detroitpistons are considering doing a Harlem shake video need ideas on where to do it! Suggestions?? Twitter @DRE_DRUMMOND_

Detroit Pistons, Andre Drummond 

It's nearly four weeks since center Andre Drummond's initial prognosis of needing four to six weeks to recover from a lower-back stress fracture, though it appears he's not likely to return soon. Frank said Drummond is unable to do any conditioning. "Obviously, we're going to proceed with caution," Frank said. "The key is you want to make sure that bone has healed." Detroit Free Press

Detroit Pistons, Injuries, Andre Drummond 

Andre Drummond: Just seen da rude boi usain bolt mash up da rim!! #RespectBodMon #CelebrityAllStarGame #AllStarWeekend Twitter @DRE_DRUMMOND_

Detroit Pistons, Andre Drummond 

Justin Verrier: Andre Drummond said it was his goal to be in the dunk contest. Back injury is keeping him out of events this weekend but he's eying next one Twitter @JustinVerrier

Detroit Pistons, All-Star, Andre Drummond