The Detroit Pistons and forward Blake Griffin agreed to a buyout, making the 6-time All-Star a free agent. What is next for the once-superstar to regain hold of his career?
The Blake Griffin era in Detroit has finally come to an end. A once-promising highflyer has agreed to be bought out by the Detroit Pistons, Griffin finds himself heading into the next chapter of his basketball career.
The former All-NBA forward has survived his seemingly perpetual NBA hell, but at what cost? Griffin is one of the new casualties of a superstar being paid max money and having some bad luck( Russell Westbrook, John Wall).
Griffin is a shell of what he once was due to all the injuries he has sustained over the years. Is there enough left in the tank for him to contribute on a championship team?
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As of right now, Griffin is the biggest name in the buyout market, and contending teams are searching for the final pieces for their rosters. Could Blake Griffin provide size and skill for teams that are in need of a big such as Brooklyn, who is the favorite to sign him?
Griffin this season has flat-out not been good. He averages 12.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.9 assists per game with a true shooting percentage of 49 percent. His 12 points per game is the lowest it has been in his career while his rebounds and true shooting are the second-worst in his career (last season is the worst season for those two statistics). His PER is also the lowest it has been in his career at a mere 9.9. The league average is 13.
Undoubtedly, it was time for the Pistons and Griffin to part ways. Fortunately for Griffin, it comes at the perfect time. A contender will take a chance on Griffin just based on the potential with what he can bring to your team.
Fully healthy, Griffin is an athletic versatile forward that has transformed his game from the Lob City days into a more all-around forward. Griffin has playmaking ability from the forward position and even shown improvement in his jump shot.
Now, will we ever see Blake Griffin fully healthy again? We may never get 100 percent of Blake Griffin back but can 70-80 percent of what Griffin can be vault you over the hump in the quest for a title? That is what these contending teams are looking to bank on with Griffin.
Among teams that are expected to be considered for Griffin's next stop, sources tell ESPN: Brooklyn, Golden State, Miami and Portland
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 5, 2021
If Blake Griffin has anything left in the tank, this is the opportunity to show it. If Griffin can prove that he can be a valuable piece on or off the bench for a championship-level team then that may just save his career.
Detroit, on the other hand, has a hefty bill to absorb. The Pistons and general manager Troy Weaver decided to absorb the total cap hit this season and next season. The Pistons are in full rebuild mode and want to get off that money sooner than later.
Both the Pistons and Blake Griffin, even though they are separated, begin similar paths. Both are at the bottom and have to rebuild themselves into the next great versions of themselves. For Blake Griffin, not only is this a chance to revitalize his career but this is also his chance for a title.