Blake Griffin is now a member of the Detroit Pistons. Avery Bradley and Tobias Harris are now members of the Los Angeles Clippers. We catch up with LA Sports Hub to break it all down.
After the blockbuster trade that shook the NBA landscape, I caught up with Jason Reed of LA Sports Hub about his opinion on the trade for Los Angeles as well as some tidbits regarding what the Pistons are getting in return.
Q: What was your initial response to the trade?
A: I was just shocked. I understood the Clippers were most likely going to strip the team down this year, but Griffin was really the last one I expected to go, especially after his extension.
Q: Now that Blake Griffin is no longer a Clipper, give me your unfiltered opinion of him.
A: I’ve always loved him — I’m not necessarily a Clipper “fan” so my judgement of him may not be as harsh as some. While he is injury prone, that is something that easily can be turned around in the future. At his best, I think he is an MVP candidate.
Q: The Clippers wanted Griffin to be a “Clipper for life” and had a mock jersey retirement for Blake Griffin. Do you believe in loyalty when it comes to teams retaining players vs them seeking out greener pastures in free agency?
A: I’d like to believe in loyalty, but no, I don’t. There are very rare instances in which teams remain loyal (i.e. Kobe Bryant). For the most part this a business. As great as loyalty in the league would be, many NBA teams are not loyal.
Q: With this trade, the Clippers seem to be focused on clearing cap room and acquiring future assets. Are they looking to make a run for a high-profile free agent that has had ties to Los Angeles? (Lebron James *cough cough*)
A: I think they can dream all they want about getting a superstar like LeBron James, it won’t happen. I can see a lesser star, like a Klay Thompson (not Thompson himself, just someone on that second-tier stardom) coming to Los Angeles.
However, the Clippers just made themselves the second destination in Los Angeles. So, while I think they might THINK they’re getting a superstar, I don’t see it happening.
Q: What are the Pistons getting in Brice Johnson and Willie Reed?
A: Depth. I think Willie Reed was a pretty underrated pickup by the Pistons and will serve as a very solid back up center to Drummond. Johnson will serve as simply a bottom of the rotation depth piece, nothing too exciting in him.
Next: Talking Blake Griffin with PistonPowered
I also had the chance to answer some questions with Jason. Make sure you click the link above to give his piece a read.