Now playing for the Detroit Pistons, Blake Griffin was just as surprised as the rest of the NBA community that the Clippers made the trade. Griffin, at his introductory press conference, admitted to the media that he got word of the blockbuster deal about the same time as the average NBA fan.
Blake Griffin says he was 'shocked' to learn about the trade and didn't see it coming.
(via @clippittv) pic.twitter.com/ii9rf1fqtj
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) January 31, 2018
During his press conference, Griffin addressed questions about whether he regrets not signing a no-trade clause with the Clippers, saying that he wants to play for a team that wants him.
Following from Fox Sports Detroit,
“No. I want to play for an organization that wants me to play there, and clearly [ the Pistons are] an organization that wants me to play here. Being stuck in a no-trade clause, it was something that was brought up, but it wasn’t something we actually went about, obviously. This is where I want to be, this is a place that wants me, and that’s the type of organization I want to play for. I wouldn’t want to be stuck in a place that wasn’t working.”
The Clippers spent the summer selling Griffin on the notion that he would be a Clipper lifer, and even signed him to a five-year $171 million contract to prove it.
Griffin has only played in 33 out of a possible 50 games this season due to various injuries.
Even with the missed time, the 28-year-old is still averaging 22.6 points, eight rebounds, and 5.4 assists n per game. The new Pistons frontcourt, which includes 2018 NBA All-Star Andre Drummond, looks to perform well in the east for head coach Stan Van Gundy.
Jerry West and the Los Angeles front office are looking ahead to future of the franchise, and that future does not include Griffin. The Clippers are also reportedly interested in deals involving All-Star center DeAndre Jordan and Lou Williams.
