Brooklyn Nets: Grading the team’s transactions in the 2021 offseason
By Dylan Carter
2. Brooklyn Nets re-sign Blake Griffin to a 1-year, minimum contract
The rise and fall of Blake Griffin has been well-documented already. Injuries plagued the No. 1 pick in the 2009 Draft from the start of his career and certainly derailed his recent tenure in Detroit. Griffin is just a few short years removed from an All-NBA season but ran out of steam in Detroit before reconnecting with the game in Brooklyn last season.
Griffin’s true shooting percentage took a 14.5% leap forward during 26 regular-season games in Brooklyn. He started dunking again, seemed more engaged on defense, and provided some real juice off the bench for this Nets squad. Though he likely re-established some monetary value during his limited run in Brooklyn, Griffin decided to sign back with the Nets on a minimum contract to bounce back from some unfinished business.
Seeing Blake return to decent form was a treat for basketball fans who have missed his awe-inspiring play over the last two seasons. Having a player of Griffin’s caliber as your fourth or fifth option on a championship team is astounding, and bringing him back for pennies on the dollar is a huge win for the Nets’ title aspirations.
Griffin will do the dirty work inside, cleaning up around the glass and contributing second-chance points. He won’t hesitate to spot up for open triples and swing the ball around the horn so that Brooklyn gets the best possible shots on offense. Having an engaged, healthy version of Blake Griffin on a minimum deal has a chance to be the best value in the NBA next season.