Fansided

Blake Griffin is the newest member of the Detroit Pistons

By Adam Strangis

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 06: Blake Griffin #32 of the Los Angeles Clippers drives to the basket past Patrick McCaw #0 of the Golden State Warriors in the first half of the game on January 6, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 06: Blake Griffin #32 of the Los Angeles Clippers drives to the basket past Patrick McCaw #0 of the Golden State Warriors in the first half of the game on January 6, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The NBA playoff race is heating up, and the Detroit Pistons made a bold move by acquiring Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin.

The Detroit Pistons just swung a pretty bold trade for a squad that is on the outside of the playoffs right now. They must think they have a serious chance to make it through the East if they can get into the postseason, because they just pulled off a blockbuster with the Los Angeles Clippers for All-Star forward Blake Griffin, as reported by Adrian Wojnarowski.

This is a major step for both franchises who appear to be headed in opposite directions in the near future. For the Pistons, it’s been quite a while since they had this type of splashy name on the roster. It’s important to note that Griffin is being paid big money for the next few seasons in addition to what the Pistons gave up in the trade.

That is a ton of money to be on the hook for, and it speaks volumes about where the Pistons think they must be at to be willing to pay that money for Griffin. He has a relatively lengthy list of injuries in his career. Detroit gave up quite a bit from their team to acquire Griffin as well. Still, the duo of Griffin and (should have been an All-Star) center Andre Drummond should form a formidable duo down low. It’s interesting Detroit decided to pull of this trade now as they sit in the ninth seed in the East.

The Clippers have clearly decided to hit the reset button on their team, having traded star guard Chris Paul and now Griffin as well. The next man on his way out the door is likely to be center DeAndre Jordan. The Clippers have not been able to work out an extension with him, and it doesn’t make much sense to hold onto him at this point.

Next: Greatest NBA Trade Deadline Deals Ever

It’s never wise to judge a deal in the heat of the moment. Detroit gets a marquee player and the Clippers have a foundation for the future. However, this is the first major domino to fall near the NBA trade deadline and there will likely be more on the way.

Home/Detroit Pistons