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4 players with worse contracts than Detroit Pistons’ Blake Griffin

By Ryan Love

DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 3: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder plays defense Blake Griffin #23 of the Detroit Pistons on December 3, 2018 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 3: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder plays defense Blake Griffin #23 of the Detroit Pistons on December 3, 2018 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – APRIL 9: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder handles the ball during the game against James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets on April 9, 2019 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, OK. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – APRIL 9: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder handles the ball during the game against James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets on April 9, 2019 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, OK. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Russell Westbrook

Russell Westbrook is on his way to Houston after the Oklahoma City Thunder traded him away in exchange for Chris Paul and a handful of first-round picks.

Before the trade, Twitter was ablaze with reports of Westbrook’s possible landing spots –including Detroit.

Related Story. The Cons of the Detroit Pistons Trading For Russell Westbrook. light

However, the Rockets will be the ones taking on that massive contract for a player who could break down in an instant.

The Thunder gave Westbrook a supermax when he decided to stick around in the absence of Kevin Durant. That meant five years and just over $206 million for the 2017 NBA MVP.

Oklahoma City decided to start fresh and send that contract away to Houston with three years and a player option for a fourth left in the deal. That means the Rockets will owe Westbrook upward of $38 million in 2019 and it only goes up from there.

NBA All-Stars Russell Westbrook, Blake Griffin, and Kemba Walker talk during Team Giannis practice at Bojangles’ Coliseum in Charlotte, N.C., on Saturday, Feb. 16, 2019, ahead of the upcoming NBA All-Star game. (David T. Foster III/Charlotte Observer/TNS via Getty Images)
NBA All-Stars Russell Westbrook, Blake Griffin, and Kemba Walker talk during Team Giannis practice at Bojangles’ Coliseum in Charlotte, N.C., on Saturday, Feb. 16, 2019, ahead of the upcoming NBA All-Star game. (David T. Foster III/Charlotte Observer/TNS via Getty Images) /

Westbrook’s player option in 2022-23 is for a whopping $47 million when he is approaching 34 years old.

Unlike Griffin, Westbrook has a much more decorated individual career including two straight seasons averaging a triple-double.

However, both players have several similarities that make Griffin’s contract much more favorable:

Westbrook and Griffin both made their names in the NBA from their amazing athleticism. However, Griffin is looking to extend his career by becoming an above-average shooter from all over the floor. Westbrook shoots plenty from every spot on the floor — but not efficiently

Westbrook will be under contract until he is 34; Griffin is under contract until he is 32. If both players continue trending the way they did last season – barring injury – Westbrook’s wear and tear could prove too much for his contract to be worth it. Griffin will likely move more toward the perimeter and age more gracefully.

Pistons fans should be happy with having Griffin over the beautiful headache that could be Westbrook going forward.

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