Blake Griffin and Detroit Pistons make a deal
The Detroit Pistons have an expert to handle negotiating the buyout in vice president Arn Tellem, a former agent.
At this point, general manager Troy Weaver is out of the picture. This now has nothing to do with basketball and all about money. Gores will be calling the shots to Tellem, on what parameters he can work with in offering Griffin.
As of now, Detroit owes Griffin $53.7 (prorated 2020-21 salary plus next year option).
Let’s say, to get it settled, Griffin’s reps say they will give back $10 million of the owed amount for a quick buyout.
Sounds good in theory, as it would help the Pistons salary cap for the off-season.
Well, not as much as you would think, according to former NBA front office executive Bobby Marks:
Even if Griffin elects to give back let’s say $10M, Detroit would take on a massive cap hit of $32.7M in 2021-22.
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) February 15, 2021
A buyout should be off the table unless Griffin is willing to give back at least half of what he is owed. https://t.co/L3sHutarRY
Now, saving $10 million is nothing to sneeze at, even for a super-rich guy like Gores. But, spread over two seasons, it really does not move the needle in terms of opening up salary cap space, so Weaver could bring in another promising player.
Griffin could, in theory, stay with the Pistons and get all his money, but that really does not help Detroit, and does nothing for Griffin, except to risk his body for a team going nowhere.
It all revolves around how much Griffin wants to play for a winner and how much is he willing to give up monetarily to accomplish that.
Of course, now that Griffin no longer playing, Detroit, on the court, has moved on.
So what if the Pistons decide to play hardball. If Blake Griffin wants to leave, he will have to make it worth their while.