Detroit Pistons land Blake Griffin in blockbuster trade
The Detroit Pistons have finally landed their superstar player as the team has reportedly agreed to a deal that will return the Los Angeles Clippers’ Blake Griffin.
Sound the alarm Detroit Pistons fans, the Pistons have landed a super star player!
Spoiler alert, this is a major Woj bomb.
The Clippers have agreed to a deal to send Blake Griffin to the Detroit Pistons, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 29, 2018
The Clippers and Pistons have agreed on a deal to trade Blake Griffin for Tobias Harris, Avery Bradley, Boban Marjanovic, a first-round and a second-round draft pick, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 29, 2018
Clippers are includig Brice Johnson and Willie Reed in the trade, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 29, 2018
For Clippers, three objectives with the trade were these: Stay competitive on the floor (two starters, Harris and Bradley). Get young players/draft picks and create some payroll flexibility. Organization isn't interested in bottoming out and tanking.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 30, 2018
Sources: Protections on Detroit's 2018 first-round pick headed to Clippers -- 2018: 1-4; 2019: 1-4; 2020: 1-4; 2021: unprotected. Detroit will send a 2019 second-round pick in the trade too.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 29, 2018
Talks on the Clippers-Pistons blockbuster started six days ago, but accelerated in the past 24 hours, league sources tell ESPN. The framework of a deal had been in place since early afternoon.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 30, 2018
To recap, here’s the deal:
Pistons receive: Blake Griffin, Brice Johnson, Willie Reed
Clippers receive: Tobias Harris, Avery Bradley, Boban Marjanovic, a first round pick, a second round pick
The Pistons accomplished it’s goal of adding a superstar player. With Blake Griffin and Andre Drummond, the team has arguably the best front court in the NBA.
The team also has has both of its superstars locked up for the foreseeable future with Griffin on a recently signed five year deal this past offseason.
The team was also able to retain Stanley Johnson and Luke Kennard, who both figure to be prominent players for the team moving forward–on very team friendly deals.
All this, while also acquiring another nice contract in Brice Johnson who could turn into a nice role player.
The Pistons got its star, and Griffin, at 28 figures to be in his prime for the next few years.
I don’t like that the Pistons lost a future first round pick in this deal, but it’s hard to argue when you land a superstar player.
You have to wonder if there are any ancillary deals in the works.
As it stands now, the Pistons could still use a point guard, though with Griffin, the team has added a lot of offense as he comes into Detroit averaging 22.6 points and 5.4 assists.
I would imagine that the Pistons starting lineup will look something like this:
Langston Galloway
Luke Kennard
Stanley Johnson
Blake Griffin
Andre Drummond
There’s a lot to like about that lineup, particularly if Reggie Jackson ever returns to form.
In fact, that’s a lineup I think you can win with assuming growth from Kennard and Johnson.
There’s a lot to digest with this monumental move, myself included.
As it stands now, what is your reaction?