Detroit Pistons: Breaking down the rumored trade targets for Blake Griffin

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:

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.

Detroit Pistons: Trading Blake Griffin to the OKC Thunder

Of all the teams on this list, the Thunder make the most sense, as it would allow Blake Griffin to play in his home state and the Thunder have a big contract they’d love to unload.

The Pistons would almost certainly have to take on Al Horford and Trevor Ariza in any deal for Griffin, which would allow the Thunder to get out from the last year of Horford’s deal.

Al Horford is still a good player who could help the Pistons. He plays the game the right way and would be a great mentor to the young bigs.

But do the Pistons really want to take on an extra year of massive salary for another aging player in decline? Eventually this cycle has to end.

If the Detroit Pistons were closer to competing for a playoff spot, then Horford might make sense, as he is a good fit and would strengthen the Pistons’ depth.

But he might also take minutes away from Isaiah Stewart, so in my opinion, would not be worth it.

This is one to think about but I’d still pass.

Detroit Pistons: Trading Blake Griffin to the Charlotte Hornets

The Hornets would love to get off Terry Rozier’s contract, but it is the same length as Blake’s so really wouldn’t help them.

Some combination of Rozier and Cody Zeller would work but they are both better than Blake at this point so I don’t know why Charlotte would do this unless the Pistons were sending back an asset.

Want to give up an asset for Rozier or Zeller? Me either. HARD PASS.

Detroit Pistons: Trading Blake Griffin to the Celtics

The Celtics fall into the same category as the Thunder, as the Detroit Pistons could probably get a player back without sending an asset with Blake Griffin but it’s a player they don’t need or want.

The Celtics would love to move on from Kemba Walker and could trade him straight up for Griffin, allowing both teams to find new homes for their aging stars.

But Walker’s contract is a year longer than Blakes and the Detroit Pistons should avoid paying guys big money for their declining years. Walker hasn’t been great this season and is no longer the guy who used to carry the Hornets.

If their contracts were the same length, I’d say go for it, as Walker is a competitor who would fit in with this hard-nosed style the Pistons are building.

But ask yourself this: Would you like a clean cap sheet after next season or an entire additional year with an aging player in decline eating up most of the cap space? Easy answer.

Detroit Pistons: Trading Blake Griffin to the Lakers

If someone could explain how this could happen they are smarter than me, as the Lakers just don’t have the contracts.

They might want to move on from Dennis Schroder, but not for Blake Griffin and that contract would still only get them halfway there.

This one makes no sense, as the Lakers would either have to trade several of their core players or go deep into the luxury tax, which ain’t happening when the return is a broken down Blake Griffin.

Detroit Pistons: Trading Blake Griffin to the Portland Trail Blazers

Blake Griffin has been rumored to the Trail Blazers since he was still on the Clippers, so this one might just be nostalgia.

He wouldn’t be a bad fit basketball-wise, but again, I see no way it can happen with the contacts the Blazers currently have.

Their only sizable contracts are Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum, aka the Heart and Soul of their team.

Even giving up someone like Robert Covington would probably be too much for Blake Griffin and his contract still isn’t even close to enough.

There aren’t any teams in the NBA with the cap space to absorb Blake Griffin’s monster extension without sending back a bad contract in return.

And the Pistons would still likely have to attach an asset to make it happen.

Unless some team gets truly desperate (or stupid), Blake Griffin is not likely to be traded unless he wants to leave nearly $40 million on the table by declining his option.

Fans love to believe that players care about winning more than anything, and while some care a lot, do they care $40 million worth? Unlikely.

Blake Griffin will probably come to an agreement on a buyout with the Detroit Pistons, which his best for everyone involved.