Toronto Raptors: 3 blockbuster trades to go all in with Kawhi Leonard
3. Gambling on another star
The Detroit Pistons parting ways with Stan Van Gundy (former president of basketball operations) and Jeff Bower (former general manager) could indicate further change to come. Brought in via trade by Van Gundy, star forward Blake Griffin may not be in the plans of whoever the Pistons bring in to be their next general manager.
Although he averaged a career high in assists during his first season in Detroit, the majority of Griffin’s numbers reached near career lows while in the Motor City. The strategy of running the offense through two frontcourt players goes against current NBA dogma, and it is evident why.
When they shared the court together, Andre Drummond and Blake Griffin went 12-14 last season. If it is already time for Detroit to move on from Griffin, a trade partner may be waiting in Toronto.
Although he did not play his best ball in Detroit, Blake Griffin still possesses elite NBA skills. He is arguably the best passing big man in the game, and has shown signs of becoming a stretch-big. So what would a trade with Toronto look like?
Detroit benefits from this trade in two distinct ways. Primarily, it gets to move Griffin’s cap-crippling deal, one that could see the Pistons handing out $39 million to a 33-year-old Griffin during the final year of the contract. Compare that figure to the $44.9 million they could be paying Serge Ibaka for the next two years combined.
Secondly, Detroit lands coveted wing OG Anunoby. A defensive menace, Anunoby projects to defend four positions. Plus, his 3-point shooting progress is ahead of schedule, as he drained 37.1 percent of his triples last season. If Detroit hits the reset button, Anunoby, Norman Powell and a future first would be welcomed additions.
Do the Toronto Raptors want to give away their stud wing? No. In fact, the did not even part with him to land Kawhi Leonard. Yet, Toronto would have to sacrifice Anunoby in order to land Griffin.
Would Masai Ujiri roll the dice once more and hope that Griffin returns to his previous form? Let us not forget that it was not too long ago Griffin was finishing third in MVP voting and being named to All-NBA teams.
This trade would inch Toronto’s talent level closer to where it needs to be in order make it out of the East. Adding Reggie Bullock is a plus. The wing had a career year last season and stretches the floor. This trade could either be a home run or a big whiff, but it would raise this team’s ceiling to heights never seen before in Toronto.