The Detroit Pistons have acquired Blake Griffin in exchange for Tobias Harris, Avery Bradley and others; how will it help their run?
Well, that was fast.
The day started with the Detroit Pistons reportedly shopping Avery Bradley. It will now end with the Pistons acquiring Blake Griffin from the LA Clippers.
Officially, the Pistons will receive Brice Johnson, Willie Reed and Griffin in exchange for Avery Bradley, Tobias Harris Boban Marjanovic, a first-round pick and a second-round pick. The deal was first announced by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
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This is certainly a lot to take in, and the first real big trade of the deadline season – Eric Bledsoe being deal to the Milwaukee Bucks doesn’t really count since it took place so early in the season.
Nevertheless, the struggling Pistons needed to make a deal. And just when it seemed like they were going to be sellers ahead of the trade deadline, Stan Van Gundy pulled it off once again. As he did a few years back when he acquired Tobias Harris, SVG, out of left field, came together and hit a home run by adding Griffin.
On paper, it might seem like the Pistons are giving up a lot for an often injured star. However, in today’s NBA climate, the value in having a star on your team (especially to recruit during free agency) far outweighs the negative of potentially giving up too much.
In essence, this is worth the gamble for the Detroit Pistons.
On the other hand, there is certainly going to be a ton of fallout for the LA Clippers moving forward. For one, does this mean that DeAndre Jordan is gone for sure? What about Lou Williams?
On the surface, yes. I’d be highly surprised if the Clippers went out and traded Blake Griffin only to retain DeAndre Jordan and Lou Williams. That wouldn’t make much sense.
With that said, it kind of applies some pressure on the Clippers to get a deal done – and soon. The NBA trade deadline is next week and the Clippers can’t afford to not trade Jordan and Williams, who will both be free agents after the season.
The likes of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Milwaukee Bucks have to feel pretty good about their prospects of potentially landing Jordan and/or Williams at this point.
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Additionally, what does this mean for Doc Rivers? It appears that the Clippers are in the beginning stages of a complete rebuild. If so, will he stick around?
There are a ton of questions that are left unanswered thanks in large part to this huge blockbuster deal. And we’re just getting started.
Welcome to NBA trade deadline season, folks.