NBA
Ranking the Prime Destinations for 6x All-Star PF Blake Griffin
Breaking down the prime destinations for PF Blake Griffin including the Miami Heat, Dallas Mavericks, Boston Celtics, and more!
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PRIME DESTINATIONS FOR 6X ALL-STAR PF BLAKE GRIFFIN
On Monday, the Detroit Pistons announced they will be sitting Blake Griffin for the foreseeable future until they figure out a trade for the former 6x All-Star. The Cleveland Cavaliers are also doing the same thing with Andre Drummond. While Griffin surely isn’t the same All-Star caliber player he used to be, the former No.1 overall pick has evolved his game and become a threat from deep as he’s making 2.0 3PM per game this season.
Considering the lack of prominent players on expiring deals and household names looking for new teams, Griffin might be the most well-known player moved before the upcoming trade deadline. It won’t be easy for Detroit to find a team willing to take on his $37M 2021 salary AND his $39M 2022 player option.
They’ll likely have to ADD assets to the deal instead of receiving them, which isn’t what a rebuilding team wants to do. A buyout is certainly an option, helping DET save money, and providing Griffin with a chance to play for a contender.
After spending most of his career with the Los Angeles Clippers, Griffin has yet to play in a Conference Finals and has publicly shared his interest in contending for a Championship. There are a lot of factors to consider, but with that being said, here are the prime destinations for Griffin whether it be through a trade or after being bought out and on the free-agent market:
Miami has had a problem at PF all season since Jae Crowder‘s departure and getting Griffin to buy into the ‘Heat Culture’ shouldn’t be much of an issue. They need scoring and spacing from that position and Griffin can provide both while complementing Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo‘s game well.
Luka–Kristaps-Griffin could be the new ‘Big 3’ in the West if Griffin gets back to his All-Star ways. He’s only 31 years old and might have been unmotivated playing in the Motor City but playing alongside the best teammate he’d ever play with as well as another monster in the post could get the best out of Blake.
No team seems more primed to make a big move before this trade deadline than Boston who’s equipped with that mega $30M trade exception from the Gordon Hayward sign-and-trade. If the Celtics can acquire Griffin while still keeping Tatum, Jaylen, Kemba, and Smart intact, they could be right next to Brooklyn as the favorites in the East.
The only non-contender to make the list, but Houston does have plenty of veterans in John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, Victor Oladipo, Eric Gordon, P.J. Tucker, and Griffin’s teammate last season Christian Wood. Those relationships could help convince Griffin to stick it out in H-Town this year and add another piece in hopes of really contending in 2021-22.
Portland has been impacted by injuries more than any other championship contender this year with two of their best three players (CJ McCollum & Jusuf Nurkic) missing over half the season up to this point. Griffin would provide insurance if they aren’t able to come back to full strength, and if they are, a closing lineup of them two, Damian Lillard, Carmelo Anthony, and Griffin would be LETHAL.
