Welcome to Detroit Basketball, Blake Griffin

Photo: Sports Illustrated 

Just when the NBA trade deadline could have been a quiet one this year, a blockbuster appeared right on our Twitter feeds. Blake Griffin, the No.1 draft pick in 2009 and five time All-Star, was traded Monday to the Detroit Pistons, sending Avery Bradley, Tobias Harris, Boban Marjonavic, a first round and second round pick to the Los Angeles Clippers. The Pistons also acquired power fowards Brice Johnson and Willie Reed. 

According to multiple sources, the Pistons and Clippers have discussed the deal for at least a week, and just early that morning, talks have escalated on the Pistons wanting to move Avery Bradley, who is a free agent this summer after being traded to Detroit from Boston. 

This could be the most bizarre deal to occur at least a week before the trade deadline (Thursday, February 8th) and the biggest free agency signing for the Pistons since Chauncey Billups back in 2002. Did the Pistons give up too much, or were the Clippers just desperate for a drastic change? 

The Abrupt End To An Era

Now that Griffin is with the Pistons, Lob City is officially over. 

Just six months ago, Griffin had just signed an enormous five -year contract worth $171 million, the Clippers deeming him "a lifelong Clipper." Yet, despite the Clippers glitz-and-glamour show that was Lob City that kept Griffin in tow for nearly seven years, there was a trail of bread crumbs that have left many individuals bracing for the move. 

The Clippers had begin fielding calls for Griffin after he punched an equipment manger in 2016. On top of that, Griffin had suffered countless injuries since his rookie season, ranging from a torn ACL, sprained MCL, back spasms, broken toe, concussion, broken hand.... the list seems never-ending. Griffin has missed 40% of the team's games over the last four seasons. The Clippers this season with Griffin are 17-16, and 8-8 without Griffin. Even though the lack of Chris Paul plays a role in those statistics, essentially, the Clippers are just about as good with him as without him, diminishing Griffin's leadership presence on the team and in the franchise. 

It has gotten to the point where the Clippers had to be straightforward in deciding whether Griffin worth's keeping anymore; is Griffin, considering the shape he is/has been, still have the ability to be our franchise player? Are we in position to build a versatile roster around him in the short-term given his salary and health? Should we let another team maneuver around Griffin's salary in order to build a contending roster?  

The Clippers in the end decided to pull the trigger on Griffin in the most cold way.

The Clippers Future Looking Forward 

The Clippers simply pursued the deal in hopes of reaching financial flexibility. Now the Clippers can focus on locking DeAndre Jordan and Lou Williams with feasible contract agreements before teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers has the opportunity to snatch them by the trade deadline. In Tobias Harris, the Clippers have a versatile scorer who can space the floor and work interchangeably with Danilo Gallinari, and in Bradley, they have a backcourt defensive specialist that can work alongside the likes of Patrick Beverly. While the Clippers are transitioning into a younger team, that doesn't necessarily mean that they are set to tank: with the young players, along with the draft picks that may or may not cause a shift in the franchise, the Clippers might have their "Big 3" for the fans sooner than later. 

Can Blake Griffin Make An Impact In Detroit? 

Acquiring Blake Griffin the way the Pistons did was impressive on their part, and reflects a lot on coach Stan Van Gundy's desperate hunger to bring the winning tradition back to the Motor City. In spite of the Pistons 10-3 start, the best since 2005, the Pistons are now 22-26, below the 8th spot in the East taken by the electric Philadelphia 76ers. The team's offense has collapsed in the 4th quarter and Andre Drummond is getting bullied in the paint by opposing center Joel Embiid and others. Griffin's versatile defense, elite rebounding, and addition of a jumper and 3-point shot will improve the backcourt alongside Drummond and allow Gundy to experiment with his passing abilities, having him run more pick-and-roll. 

The problem is the Pistons can face with dealing with Griffin's never-ending injuries. Could the Detroit Pistons actually reinvent Griffin's career? It'll be unfortunate to see Griffin end up like Amar'e Stoudemire, a stud whose career deteriorated due to pre-mature decline, or like Carmelo Anthony, a worthy player who was limping in his post-prime years in New York. 

How he plays in response to the move will be the defining moment of his career. Could he write a new chapter for himself, resulting in the Pistons reaching playoff momentum, or will he sulk through the season, hampered by injuries, leading into early retirement? It's up to Blake to redeem himself in the Motor City. 

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