Pistons doomsday scenario: What if Blake Griffin can’t come back?

Trading Blake for a quick turnaround

In the event that the Pistons decide they can longer count on Griffin to stay healthy, they could choose to trade him early.

This scenario would be a huge risk as the returning value for Griffin in a trade would be difficult to gauge.

The team would have to find a suitor desperate for a superstar who can contribute immediately. This would also require that suitor to be able to take on Griffin’s $35 million salary.

The Boston Celtics could be a trade partner should they be looking to compete sooner rather than later.

The Pistons could work a trade that brings back the likes of a Jayson Tatum and Gordon Hayward.

Tatum had a disappointing second year but his ceiling should still be considered high. Hayward struggled coming back from injury but he is younger and the Pistons could get out from under that contract easier than Griffin’s if they chose to.

Tatum would be an immediate contributor and still has the talent to grow into a legitimate superstar.

A trade like this would keep the Pistons closest to their current standing in the East while also setting them up for the future if they like what they see in Tatum.

The Miami Heat could also be a destination for Griffin as they look to take advantage of Jimmy Butler‘s prime while feeding Pat Riley‘s need for stardom in South Beach.

However, this scenario may not be as beneficial to the Pistons in terms of what the Heat would likely be willing to give back.

The Pistons would want to ask for at least two younger assets the Heat have as well as a contract to make the money match up. A trade sending back Justise Winslow, Tyler Herro, and James Johnson would likely be the best-case scenario.

Maybe the Heat bite on that, maybe they don’t.

A favorable trade for Griffin may not come about at all. In that case, the Pistons may need to go the casual fan’s favorite route.

Blow. It. Up.