NBA Rumors: 3 teams that make the most sense for Blake Griffin

Blake Griffin has reached a buyout agreement with the Detroit Pistons and is officially a free agent. Which teams make the most sense as a potential landing spot?

Adrian Wojnarowski has reported that the Pistons have officially reached a buyout agreement with Blake Griffin, making him an unrestricted free agent. Griffin hasn’t played since the middle of February. At that point, it had become clear a trade was in the future and he and the team were in agreement that it was better to have him sit until a deal was found. Obviously, the Pistons couldn’t find a useful offer for the veteran big man in the midst of a career-worst season.

Woj’s reporting highlighted several teams as possible landing spots for Griffin but they aren’t the only options.

Which team will Blake Griffin join now?

Los Angeles Lakers: The Lakers are the most obvious choice and will likely be a front-runner. They cleared a roster spot a few weeks ago by releasing Quinn Cook and have reportedly been preparing to target a big man like JaVale McGee or Hassan Whiteside on the buy-out market. Griffin is a very different kind of player than McGee or Whiteside but his skills could be much more valuable, particularly if Anthony Davis is fully healthy for the playoffs. Griffin isn’t the athlete he once was but he’s still a skilled passer and has made himself into a respectable outside shooter.

The offensive load on him would be much lower with the Lakers than it was with the Pistons and he’d have more opportunities to work from the elbows, forgoing the wear-and-tear of battling in the post and using his face-up game and facilitation to help things run smoother for the Lakers’ other role players. If Griffin wants a ring, and the chance to use his skills effectively he has to think long and hard about the Lakers.

Miami Heat: The Miami Heat have been struggling this season with several key players in and out of the lineup because of injury. The offensive efficiency and continuity has suffered and while the defense has bounced back, they need an offensive jolt if they’d like to make another Finals run. Griffin is a player the Heat have reportedly coveted in the past and his offensive versatility would be a perfect fit in Miami’s egalitarian offense, surrounded by shooters and other creators. And with Bam Adebayo behind him, there wouldn’t be the pressure to pound with other bigs. The chances of winning a ring in Miami might be much smaller than in Los Angeles but there’s still plenty to like about joining up with the Heat.

Phoenix Suns: This is a longshot possibility but it’s one of the most fun to consider. Griffin could team up with Chris Paul again, bringing more veteran experience and offensive versatility to a surging young team looking to make some noise in the playoffs. Again, if he wants to win a ring this season Los Angeles is probably the pick. But Phoenix might be the place to have the most fun.