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Detroit Pistons history: Where are the pieces from the Blake Griffin trade now?

By Nicolas Henkel

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - DECEMBER 09: Blake Griffin #23 of the Detroit Pistons reacts against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on December 09, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - DECEMBER 09: Blake Griffin #23 of the Detroit Pistons reacts against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on December 09, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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 Blake Griffin

Finally we arrive at Griffin, who was brought to Detroit in a move that would hopefully save former coach Stan Van Gundy’s job. It was a gamble from the jump and it didn’t pay off. Detroit failed to make the playoffs in Griffin’s first few months as a Piston.

A trade deadline wish list for the Pistons. light. Trending

The following season felt different. With a brand new coach in Dwane Casey, and an entire off season of building chemistry with his new teammates, the Pistons were ready to go. It was a rocky start, middle, and finish, but the Pistons stumbled their way into the playoffs largely due to Griffin’s season long heroics.

He averaged 24.5 points per game on 46.2 percent shooting on his way to making another All-Star team. He transcended his three-point making ability and had the Pistons been in a better situation, he would have been a legitimate MVP candidate.

He put Detroit on his back every single night. In just the third game of the season he scored 50 points against Philadelphia, in what would be precursor for how dominant his season would be.

Coming into the 2019-2020 season expectations were high. However, a lingering knee injury which hadn’t been properly rehabilitated caused Griffin to hit a steep decline. He played in just 18 games before electing to undergo season ending surgery.

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Griffin has become a fan favorite in Detroit, and there’s still time to make something happen with him, but his window is closing.

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