It’s official, the Detroit Pistons are going to pay Blake Griffin to play for another team.
This was pretty much the worst-case scenario when the Pistons inexplicably traded for Griffin and his monster contract and one that just about everyone not named Tom Gores saw coming.
Blake was already in decline when the Pistons got him, so it is not surprising that they only got one good season out of him before his body finally gave up.
Unable to find a trade suitor, the Detroit Pistons finally ended the Blake Griffin era by buying him out, which was first reported by Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
Six-time All-Star forward Blake Griffin has agreed to a contract buyout with the Detroit Pistons and will become an unrestricted free agent, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 5, 2021
This was not shocking news as everyone knew it was coming eventually, but did this buyout actually help the Detroit Pistons?
Detroit Pistons: How much cap space did the Pistons save in Griffin buyout?
The Detroit Pistons were able to talk Blake Griffin into giving up $13.3 million of his remaining contract, which a hefty amount to pay just to get out of Detroit.
Griffin was obviously unhappy on a rebuilding team and wanted a chance to play for a title, so it makes sense but that is still a lot of coin, so Troy Weaver should be commended for acting swiftly and actually getting the Pistons some wiggle room in terms of cap space.
Some of this money will be applied to this season, so it appears that the Pistons will have upwards of $8 million off the books for next season, which is enough money to take a risk on another rehabbing player or veteran in search of a new role.
This is not the ending the Detroit Pistons wanted with Blake Griffin but it is pretty much as good as it was going to get, as Blake gave up more than he had to and certainly could have just played out his contract and collected it all.
Troy Weaver is being aggressive with this rebuild and now has a little more ammunition for the offseason and next year.