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What is next for Blake Griffin? An in-depth look at his future in Detroit

By Jacob Warfle

DETROIT, MI - NOVEMBER 11: Blake Griffin #23 of the Detroit Pistons hi-fives fans after the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on November 11, 2019 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - NOVEMBER 11: Blake Griffin #23 of the Detroit Pistons hi-fives fans after the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on November 11, 2019 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Blake Griffin #23 of the Detroit Pistons (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images)
Blake Griffin #23 of the Detroit Pistons (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The Detroit Pistons have a decision to make about Blake Griffin. The nearly 31-year-old star has been a bright spot for the franchise since arriving in Detroit, but injuries have derailed his season and are a real concern moving forward. Is it time to move on?

Blake Griffin arrived at the perfect time for Detroit Pistons fans. The fanbase was in need of excitement, a star player to call their own.

Many fans would likely say that the phone notification that Griffin was being traded to the Pistons was the most exciting moment as a fan this last decade. I would have to wholeheartedly agree.

The Pistons acquired Griffin at the 2018 trade deadline by shipping out Tobias Harris, Avery Bradley, Boban Marjanovic, and a couple of draft picks, including what ended up being 12th overall pick of the 2018 NBA Draft.

Also. Where are the pieces from the Griffin trade now?. light

The haul was decent for the Clippers, who eventually turned all of these assets into cap space for Kawhi Leonard and trade pieces for Paul George.

The move was risky. Right away, NBA analysts pointed out two major risks with Griffin: his massive contract and his injury history. Unfortunately, both of these risks are now staring the Pistons right in the face.

Griffin’s time with Detroit has been one of yin and yang. He proved last season that he can be a force when he is physically healthy. He averaged 24.5 points per game, 5.4 assists per game, and 7.5 rebounds per game, all while shooting 46.2% from the field.

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Griffin completely reinvented his game, shown most notably by his career high numbers from behind the three point line. For the fans, this was quite a sight behold.

Griffin poured in huge scoring nights, including his career-high 50-point game versus the Philadelphia 76ers on Oct. 23, 2018. He willed the team to playoffs, all while playing in 75 regular season games.

However, the injury risk with him has presented itself in the worst way. Griffin missed the last seven games of the 2018 regular season and the first two games of Detroit’s playoff series vs. Milwaukee, one in which the Pistons were swept.

This was tough for the Pistons as the only real shot in the series was a complete Blake Griffin takeover.

light. pistons doomsday scenario. What if Blake Griffin can't get healthy?

This same knee injury carried over into this season. While on the court, Griffin struggled to get his legs under him and posted stats well below last season’s All-NBA season. On January 7th, the Pistons announced that Griffin underwent knee surgery and that there was no timetable set for his return.

Then just a couple of weeks later, the NBA granted the Pistons a $9.2 million disabled player exception, officially ending Griffin’s 2019-20 campaign. He only appeared in 18 games, averaging just 28.4 minutes per game.

With the Andre Drummond trade and Reggie Jackson buyout, it looks as though the Pistons front office has embraced the tank, at least for this season. This leaves the question, where does  Griffin fit into all of this? The way I see it, there are two trains of thought the Pistons can take with this: unload or Re-tool.

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