Blake Griffin has played 20 games with the Pistons this season.
The Detroit Pistons and former All-Star forward Blake Griffin have reportedly made a deal to end their time together.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Griffin and the Pistons have agreed to a buyout of his deal that will make the big man an unrestricted free agent. Many of the NBA’s top playoff teams are interested in Griffin, Wojnarowski reports, and he is expected to make his decision on the next touchdown in the near future.
Griffin is interested in many NBA playoff contenders and is expected to make a decision on his next team after conversations with potential teams in the near future, sources said. https://t.co/8Qpbbp4ggE
– Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 5, 2021
The separation of paths is hardly a surprise as the Pistons and Griffin have agreed to begin the process of sacking him in mid-February. The Pistons acquired Griffin from the LA Clippers in January 2018 via a trade.
“I’m grateful to the Pistons for figuring out what I want to accomplish in my career and working together on the best way forward,” Griffin said in a statement to ESPN in February.
The 31-year-old forward has started 20 games for Detroit this season and is averaging career lows in points (12.3), field goal attempts (11.1) and free throw attempts (3.1 ). For his career, the former No. 1 overall pick averages 21.4 points, 8.7 rebounds and 4.4 assists. He only played 18 games last season after requiring end-of-season left knee surgery.
Known for his athletic prowess at his peak, Griffin hasn’t recorded a dunk in an NBA game since December 12, 2019 – a period in which more than 440 other NBA players have had at least one dunk. If the Pistons leave Griffin, one of his former teammates would also be on the verge of being traded. Cleveland Cavaliers center Andre Drummond – who played for Detroit from 2012-20 – is expected to be moved soon according to several reports.
Griffin has reinvented himself once before, so it’s not like he can’t do it anymore. Like many players in this 3-point era, he added this move to his repertoire a few years ago and it helped him return to All-Star level in 2018-19 – he made 189 3s this season, two timid to match the total. of his first eight seasons combined, and averaged 24.5 points.
Griffin’s contract is worth $ 36.6 million this season and $ 39 million in 2021-22.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
