NBA free agency: The 5 biggest steals so far this offseason

NBA free agency biggest steals: 3. Blake Griffin

The goal is clear for the Brooklyn Nets next season: win a championship. Injuries to key players Kyrie Irving and James Harden prevented the team from progressing past the Milwaukee Bucks in the playoffs, along with Kevin Durant’s big toe, but Steve Nash will be hoping all three can stay healthy for next year’s playoff run.

But while keeping its superstars healthy will be vital, so will putting enough skilled role players around them. Once a superstar, Blake Griffin has carved out a new role as a defensive, stretch five in Brooklyn and bringing him back on a veteran minimum deal, according to Michael Scotto, was a wonderful piece of business.

After a disappointing spell in Detroit, Griffin has rediscovered himself in Brooklyn. He played with tons of energy and hustle in the playoffs, putting his body on the line for the team to disrupt Milwaukee’s offense despite a narrow series loss.

With a healthy Harden and Irving to come back next year, Griffin’s role on defense can be key in helping the team get to the next level. And despite his athleticism and physical gifts having largely dwindled since his time with the Clippers, there were even a couple of dunks that reminded everyone of years gone by.

Griffin is far from being finished in the NBA and has proven he can still contribute to winning basketball, albeit in a different way. He is exactly the kind of role player the Nets need to go with their superstars.