Things I like and don’t like about Detroit Pistons deal for Griffin
The Pistons got its star
The Detroit Pistons have been searching for a star player during the Stan Van Gundy era, and really even before that. We thought it might be Kyrie Irving, maybe DeMarcus Cousins, or even Kristaps Porzingis at one point. While the Pistons would certainly welcome another star, and likely wishes to add another star piece, the team can finally say its accomplished adding its star.
Griffin, a career 21.6 points per game and 4.2 assists is also going to be the welcome scoring punch that the Pistons have desperately been missing.
The Pistons have a core that is just pieces away from contending
The Detroit Pistons will likely roll out a lineup with Luke Kennard, Stanley Johnson, Blake Griffin, and Andre Drummond for the foreseeable future (barring trade). The Pistons know what it has in Griffin and Drummond, and most of us think Kennard will be an excellent wing player for years to come.
Johnson has been a bit of an enigma, but there’s still a chance he develops into the player we all thought he would become. Johnson has been disappointing, but should not be written off yet. He will get an extended look with Harris now in Los Angeles, and perhaps he will take advantage. If he does, the Pistons will have a nice core, particularly if Reggie Jackson ever regains form.
The young guys will get a longer look
This sort of speaks to my last point, but this topic absolutely deserves its own discussion. With Bradley and Harris gone, the Pistons have all but signed off on its belief that Luke Kennard is its shooting guard of the future. That’s exciting for the fans who have been following this team closely, as many believe the only thing holding Kennard back has been consistent minutes.
With Harris gone, that’s one less forward that will be competing for minutes with Stanley Johnson. Johnson has had games where he’s shown a lot of promise. He’s also had more games where he’s been completely unplayable, though I think most of that is due to his inconsistent minutes and role under Van Gundy.
Johnson will now get one more opportunity, and perhaps his last, to show he can be that high caliber player the Pistons thought he was when the team drafted him. This extended look is invaluable for the Pistons, and for Johnson.
Andre Drummond and Blake Griffin become arguably the best big man tandem in the NBA
The New Orleans Pelicans undoubtedly have the most talented power forward and center in Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins. However, Cousins will be recovering from a torn achillies injury and may never be the same player again.
That leaves the door open for Griffin and Drummond to lay claim to that title as the NBA’s best big man duo.
Griffin and Drummond will be tied together for virtually the entirety of their contracts.
Assuming Griffin opts-in on his player option in 2020-2021–and I think that’s a safe assumption considering he will make $38,957,028 if he does–Griffin will hit unrestricted free agency just one season after Drummond.
That means that the Pistons will have four years with two star players to try to add pieces around the two big men. That also means that if it doesn’t work out, the Pistons will have a fairly easy time hitting the reset button at that point in time. There’s something to be said about creating a title window, and the Pistons firmly have that now.