Blake Griffin has agreed a contract buyout with the Detroit Pistons, and the Portland Trail Blazers are shortlisted to pick him up. The news comes this morning from Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
Six-time All-Star forward Blake Griffin has agreed a contract deal with the Detroit Pistons and will become an unlimited free agent, sources told ESPN.
– Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) 5 March 2021
Among sources expected to be considered for Griffin’s next stop, sources told ESPN: Brooklyn, Golden State, Miami and Portland
– Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) 5 March 2021
The Blazers stand alongside the Nets, Warriors and Heat as possible destinations.
The 6’9, 250-pound forward has a career average of 21.4 points and 8.7 rebounds per game, but his days of fine statistics lie long behind him. Injuries and age have cost the former NBA Slam Dunk champion mobility and lift. The 31-year-old averaged 12.3 points and 5.2 rebounds in 31.3 minutes per game over 20 games with the Pistons before the buyout. His shooting percentage of .365 was the lowest in his career, except for the 0.352 rate he achieved the previous season. This corresponds to a career average of almost 50%.
Griffin’s .315 percent of the three-point series this season helps nothing. He averaged 36.2% of the arc on 7.2 attempts per game in 2018-’19, his first year at the Pistons and his last All-Star-worthy campaign.
Portland will pick Griffin on a minimum contract. They have the grid space and the salary space to do so without exceeding the luxury tax threshold (barely).
A few weeks ago, our very own Steve Dewald outlined the possibility that the Blazers would pick up Griffin.
Clearly, Griffin is entering a new, less mobile era of his NBA career. But his name recognition and former relationship with Olshey should make him a clear target for the Blazers as he enters the buyout market. For Griffin, the goodwill that the Blazers have built up with Carmelo Anthony could be a starting point for shared interest.
You can read the post here.
The big question: Can Portland find gold in Griffin as with Carmelo Anthony? Do you want him? Weigh in below.
Update: Shams Charania of The Athletic says Brooklyn may have the inside track for Griffin.
The Brooklyn Nets are reportedly leaders in signing six-time All-Star Blake Griffin, my sources tell me. @JLEdwardsIII. Competitive teams with interest expect Griffin Nets to be the title favorite for the chance to win a championship.
– Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) 5 March 2021
h / t GMan83202 in the comments!