Potential buyout candidate No. 1: Blake Griffin
Amidst a full rebuild and complete roster teardown, the Detroit Pistons have already traded Derrick Rose and now look to part ways with their most proven veteran left on the roster, Blake Griffin. Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN recently reported both Griffin and the Pistons have agreed that he will remain inactive while they work through a resolution on his playing future. There seems to be complete unanimity on this issue.
He’s averaging a career-low 12.3 points per game, but his low scoring numbers reflect his career-low 11.3 field-goal attempts per game and his shot selection. According to basketball reference, 55.9 percent of his field-goal attempts came from behind the 3-point line this season, by far the highest rate of his career, but he’s only converting them at a 31.5 percent clip.
The days of watching Blake Griffin lead a fastbreak en route to posterizing your favorite player (if he dares to get in the way) are long gone. Due to a myriad of lower-body injuries he suffered, dating all the way back to what was supposed to be his rookie year when he fractured his kneecap in the LA Clippers final preseason game, forcing him to miss the entire season, Griffin has lost most of the athleticism and explosiveness that made him the number one pick in the 2009 NBA Draft.
Still, Griffin can contribute in other ways as he’s transitioned to a playstyle that allows him to positively impact the game, despite no longer being one of the most athletic players ever to grace a basketball court. Since he was traded to Detroit during the 2017-18 season, the six-time All-Star began chucking threes like he never has before. He averages 6.5 3-pointers per game in 138 regular-season games with the Pistons compared to 0.9 in 504 regular-season games with the Clippers.
He’s always been a solid playmaker and good passer, especially for his size. He’s not Nikola Jokic or the Gasol brothers, but he averages a solid 4.4 assists per game for his career. Play him in limited minutes, and Griffin can still be a valuable point-forward off the bench while also being able to space the floor.
The consensus is Blake has no trade value at this point. No team will be willing to take on the remainder of his contract (he’s earning approximately $36.6 million this season and owed $39 million next season) when the production doesn’t match the money he’s getting. That won’t stop Pistons general manager Troy Weaver from trying his best to find a trade partner before the March 25 deadline.
All signs are pointing to Griffin and the Pistons agreeing to some type of buyout agreement. If he clears waivers, expect him to sign with a title contender as the 11-year veteran enters the “ring chasing” stage of his career.
NBA teams that Blake Griffin can help
Brooklyn Nets, Boston Celtics, Toronto Raptors, Portland Trail Blazers, Miami Heat