Detroit Pistons: Trading Blake Griffin should be a priority this offseason

The Detroit Pistons need to trade Blake Griffin this offseason if they’re serious about rebuilding

The Detroit Pistons are heading into an offseason where it’s time for their pivot. After successfully moving Reggie Jackson and with a number of other expiring contracts coming off the book for the team, the Pistons are at a point where they can hit the reset button.

However, one other move that the team needs – and probably would like – to make that would help make this a real rebuild is trading Blake Griffin. That could be difficult with two years and $76 million remaining on his contract (though, he has a player option for the second season).

In all likelihood, Blake will opt-in for that final season. In fairness, it’s too early to make that assumption. The bottom line, moving Blake would open up a huge amount of money heading into the offseason and clearing their bottom line to build a new roster in the manner in which they want.

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For one, trading Blake won’t be an easy task. In fact, the Pistons would almost definitely have to attach an asset or a player to get him off the books. That’s not because Blake isn’t a good player anymore. In fact, last season (before his injury this year) Blake averaged 24 points, eight rebounds, and five assists per game on 46 percent shooting from the field and 36 percent from 3-point range.

He just turned 31 years old so by no means is he completely done. Blake still has some good basketball in him. The big problem for Blake has been his health. When he’s healthy, he’s great. As was showcased last season in which he helped carry Detroit to the postseason.

Blake’s 2019-20 season was cut short due to a knee injury. He had to undergo surgery in January and was held to playing just 18 games this season. That will make the entire plan to trade Blake this summer all the more difficult.

If the Pistons get desperate and are sold out on the idea that they need to trade Blake to really begin their rebuilding process over the next few years, they’ll have a big question to answer: should they attach a blue-chip asset to rid themselves of Blake?

Or, are they willing to wait out his contract and possibly remain in NBA limbo for the next two seasons?

While attaching their projected fifth overall pick for the 2020 NBA Draft would be way-too-much, they could add a future first-round pick (likely a protected one) to Blake’s contract. Another option would be to send one of their young players with Blake via trade.

That, of course, could also be viewed as too rash of a move.

Again, there are (likely) two years remaining on Blake’s contract. The Pistons are on the hook for more than $35 million in each of the next two seasons – a little less than one-third of the team’s salary cap.

Perhaps it’s time to rip off the band-aid and pay the necessary price to give this franchise a clean slate. Otherwise, with Blake Griffin still on the roster, this team will likely hover around mediocrity for the next two seasons.

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The Pistons need to move on from Blake Griffin; it should be one of the team’s highest priorities this offseason.

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