The Detroit Pistons made it back to the NBA Playoffs this season and that was largely due to the determination and play of Blake Griffin.
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Griffin almost willed the Pistons to victories on multiple occasions this past season but unfortunately, there was not enough firepower to win even a single game against the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals.
So, what do the Pistons do in the offseason to build for the future? Even though Griffin is their best player, is it a guarantee he is back for the 2019-2020 campaign?
According to a piece from Bleacher Report, the Pistons could consider dealing Griffin and the Miami Heat could be the team to make an offer.
From Bleacher Report:
Primary Trade Chips: Josh Richardson, Kelly Olynyk, Derrick Jones Jr.
The Pistons’ three highest-paid players are 30-year-old Blake Griffin, 29-year-old Reggie Jackson and 25-year-old Andre Drummond. Hope for internal development is either fleeting or nonexistent. That could incentivize Detroit to consider everything, including dealing Griffin, which Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press wrote in February would “likely be explored” at a later date.
If Miami Heat president Pat Riley sniffs a hint of desperation from the Motor City, he’ll pounce to land one of his coveted white whales. Naturally, he’ll also try to do so at a discount. As good as Griffin looked this season—he’ll find himself on more than a few MVP ballots—he’s still wildly expensive and has a frightening injury history. His latest knee problem limited him to two games and 58 minutes during the first-round sweep.
Is that enough for the Pistons to move their All-Star?
It might be if they see their early exit as evidence this nucleus is fatally flawed. While the Heat can’t load up the Pistons with assets, they can help clean their financial books while providing a three-and-D standout (Richardson), a stretch big who might complement Drummond (Olynyk) and a 22-year-old ball of endless athleticism (Jones).
Nation, would you be on board with the Pistons trading Blake Griffin?
