Detroit Pistons: Wayne Ellington could make it easier to trade Blake Griffin

The Detroit Pistons have been surprised by the play of Blake Griffin and Wayne Ellington this season for opposite reasons.

Griffin has not been good so far, although there have been some encouraging signs over the last few games. The Pistons knew he’d be rusty but he hasn’t looked like himself physically yet.

Wayne Ellington, on the other hand, has been one of the biggest surprises in the entire NBA, as he was just viewed as roster filler but has been one of the best 3-point shooters in the league.

Ellington has been red-hot, hitting 3-pointers at a historic rate for the Detroit Pistons and setting team records along the way. He is shooting 53.2 percent from long-range on nearly seven attempts per game, numbers that put him among the NBA’s elite shooters.

It’s well-known that the Pistons would like to move on from Blake Griffin’s contract, but that they won’t do it if it means taking on an even worse one or a player who does not fit the new culture they are trying to build.

The Detroit Pistons don’t have to be in a hurry to move Blake Griffin, as he only has one more year on his contract after this and could be more valuable in the offseason or at next year’s trade deadline.

But if Blake continues to play well? Wayne Ellington’s hot shooting may make him easier to move.

Detroit Pistons: How Wayne Ellington makes it easier to trade Blake Griffin

Blake Griffin is not an easy guy to trade. Not only has he shown declining skills but he is making $36.5 million this season and $38.9 in the next.

There aren’t a lot of teams that have the necessary cap space to take on such a contract, nor a big contract of their own to send back to the Pistons.

If Detroit was going to get Blake off their books, they would almost have to include an asset to make it worth it to the other team. This could mean losing one of their young players or a future draft pick, things the Pistons are not willing to do.

Blake Griffin can still play and there are contending teams that could use him as an impact scorer in short bursts or the primary scorer of the bench. He is a great passer and is rebounding well, so Blake Griffin can help someone.

Teams are also looking for shooting, and now the Pistons have a shooter they can add in Wayne Ellington, who could be the asset they need to attach to move Blake Griffin.

Ellington is only making $3 million and is on a one-year deal, so he’d be a nice sweetener for a team looking for shooting.

The package of Blake Griffin/Wayne Ellington could be attractive to a team looking to put themselves over the top.

The Detroit Pistons don’t have to trade Blake Griffin but Ellington might make it possible to do so without giving up a piece of the future.