The Detroit Pistons and Blake Griffin have mutually agreed to part ways via a trade or buyout according to recent reports.
This was somewhat surprising news, as most expected the Detroit Pistons to just wait Blake’s contract out, at least until next season when a buyout would be more financially palatable and a trade more likely to happen.
The buyout is still the most likely option, as it seems unlikely that any team would be willing to take on Blake Griffin’s $39 million player option without sending back a poison contract in return.
But that didn’t stop the bookmakers from putting up odds on where Blake Griffin could end up if there is a trade:
Vegas odds on #Pistons' Blake Griffin's destinations (if traded): #Heat: 7/2#Thunder: 4/1#Celtics: 5/1#Hornets: 6/1
— Rod Beard (@detnewsRodBeard) February 16, 2021
Lakers: 6/1#Blazers: 15/2
From @betonline_ag
Pistons’ fans might get excited about the prospect of getting ANYTHING in return for Blake Griffin, but be careful what you wish for, as the Pistons are not going to be able to trade him without giving up an asset or taking on an even worse contract.
In my opinion, the Pistons would be better off cutting a check than making a deal with any of these teams. Here’s why.
Detroit Pistons: Trading Blake Griffin to the Miami Heat
The Miami Heat have the best odds of landing Blake Griffin in a trade, but it makes no sense for the Pistons.
Even with Andre Iguodala’s $15 million contract, Miami simply doesn’t have the money to send back to offset Blake’s $36 million. They would have to send at least four players total to make the money work and none of them would be likely to be expiring.
Want to see Iguodala and Avery Bradley taking minutes from the Pistons’ young guys next season? Me either.