Earlier in the day, ESPN reported that the Cleveland Cavaliers will sit out Andre Drummond while they look for a trade destination for the big man.
Now, it is reported that the Detroit Pistons will do the same with their forward Blake Griffin. Following comes from the Pistons’ General Manager Troy Weaver in Adrian Wojnarowski article for ESPN:
“After extensive conversation with Blake’s representatives, it has been determined that we will begin working to facilitate a resolution regarding his future with the team that maximizes the interests of both parties. We respect all the effort Blake has put forth in Detroit and his career and will work to achieve a positive outcome for all involved.”
The Pistons’ priority is to find a trade that will get them young players or draft picks in exchange for the six-time All-Star, but if the trade deadline arrives before a trade gets done the team and Griffin’s agent is also in talks for a contract buyout.
Detroit currently sits in the 14th spot in the Eastern Conference and are starting a rebuilding process that started with the Andre Drummond trade in 2020 and the recent trade that sent Derrick Rose back to the New York Knicks.
Griffin arrived to Detroit in 2019 after being traded from the Los Angeles Clippers and this season, he has played 31.3 minutes per game and started all the 20 games he’s played while averaging 12.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.9 assists.
With Griffin now on the bench most of his minutes could go to the rookie Sadiq Bey, who recently had a 7 made threes performance against the Boston Celtics, and Sekou Doumbouya. Even Jerami Grant could be benefitted with more minutes in the power forward spot.
