Detroit Pistons: the Big 5 candidates to play Center this year

No. 4: Blake Griffin

Blake Griffin has been a power forward his entire NBA career, including the last three with the Detroit Pistons.

Of course, with the Pistons already having Andre Drummond when he arrived, it was an easy decision to keep Griffin in his normal power forward slot.

But Drummond is now gone, and the three players who saw time in his spot might not return to the team.

If all else fails in the draft or free agency, coach Dwane Casey might turn to Griffin to be a small-ball center.

Griffin is not that small. He is 6-foot-9 and 250 pounds; Bam Adebayo, who played center in the Miami Heat’s run to the NBA finals, is almost the same size (6-9, 255).

Griffin is a fine passer for a big man and also has worked to become a good outside shooter. He could lure other team’s center’s away from the basket, opening driving lanes for Derrick Rose and other guards.

Also, coming off surgery for soreness in his left knee, it might be best for Griffin to not have to chase forwards all over the perimeter. Playing center means less court to cover.

The downside would be on defense. Even completely healthy, Griffin was never a rim-protector. His highest blocks per game average was 0.7 back in his second season.

Detroit would have to get a defensive-oriented power forward (Al Horford?) to complement Griffin if he moved to center.

But Griffin at center, with the proper adjustments, could work for Detroit.