The Pistons were expected to make some sort of move before the trade deadline to improve their playoff prospects. But did anyone see this coming?
Likewise, the Clippers were shopping a couple of their veterans, namely Lou Williams and DeAndre Jordan. But how many thought they’d move Blake Griffin this quickly after re-signing him to a five-year, $171.1MM contract over the summer?
Both organizations made very different decisions regarding the direction of their franchises by agreeing to a blockbuster deal on Monday. The Pistons took on Griffin and his huge contract along with a couple of reserves. Detroit shipped two starters, Tobias Harris and Avery Bradley, along with Boban Marjanovic and two draft picks to the Clippers. Los Angeles will get a first-rounder in the June draft unless it’s a top-four pick.
Harris and Bradley lead the Pistons in scoring, though Bradley’s production has dipped since he suffered a groin injury in December. Harris has become an above-average 3-point shooter this season and his contract expires after next season. Bradley is on an expiring deal.
The Clippers gave themselves major cap relief by dealing Griffin’s contract and picked up two solid veterans along with a likely lottery pick. Detroit received a perennial All-Star to pair up with Andre Drummond in the frontcourt, though Griffin’s injury history adds to the risk. But the Pistons clearly weren’t going anywhere with their current roster and now have a marquee player who might bring some more fans into the usually half-empty Little Caesars Arena.
That brings us to our question of the day: Who do you think will benefit the most from the blockbuster trade involving Blake Griffin, the Clippers or the Pistons?
Please share your thoughts in the comments section. We look forward to what you have to say.
The Lakers.
Mediocre-to-poor move for Pistons AND Clippers
Seriously, if it’s possible for both teams to lose in a trade, here it is!
i think its even for both sides. want to see how blake fits in w. drummond though.
Blake was taking them nowhere fast. And his relationship with future HOF CP3 probably played a part in his departure to Houston. Id Look for them to flip Bradley as well to a contender.
DJ+Bradley to the Cavs for
TT, Frye, Osman & Nets Pick
I believe players have to wait 60 days before being traded again. It would of had to be a 3 team deal.
Worked in trade machine.
Didn’t the clippers owner say he views Griffin and Jordan as clippers for life.
Griffin will not fit in Detroit at all
I dint get why people don’t like this for the Pistons. It isnt the greatest trade ever, but Blake is miles better than Harris and Bradley is terrible. They just got better. And now they can maybe attract someone there, in the weak east, they should contend.
Harris has been pretty good this year. Wish we could of got rid of Stanley Johnson instead
Well yeah, Harris is good. But he is no Blake. I mean, like the Pistons just became a legit small threat and maybe even a matchup issue in the east. All they need is a good PG. I heard Kemba is out there; just take on Batum and they might do it for next to nothing.
There isn’t a trade that would work. Charlotte wants expiring contracts back in a deal with Walker and Batum/Williams/MKG/Howard. Detroit has 6 or 7 M with of expiring contracts. They’d need to ship off Jackson and Leuer to a 3rd team to make the money work.
I hear you. Good points. But really all they want is to get rid of their bad contracts. The Pistons can make it happen since it looks lime they are going for it. Get a third team in. This is the time to do it, when teams are going for it. Get the Pels in. ….Detroit gets Kemba and Batum….Hornets get Rondo and Boogie….Pels get Leur, Gallo, Stanley, Ish
Bradley is a great defensive player who can launch some 3s that’s what the pistons needed.
Badley was so bad bro. Overrated. I know that using fantasy bball to measure a player is terrible, but the guy gets negative points pretty consistently. No assists, no rebounds, and misses more than he makes.
To early to say who won yet, but for now it seems like the clips won by a long shot
Now I hear more about Detroit I think was a good trade for both teams. Detroit needs to put butts in the seats and they may still have other moves to make. It is a roll of the dice for Detroit but at they can see the table now.
Detroit will regret this. Even if Blake stays healthy they will find that the Griffin/Drummond/Jackson combo is not a remix of Griffin/Jordan/Paul.
Drummond is great offensively but can’t measure up to Jordan defensively. And Drummond and Griffin salaries will make it impossible to sign anyone. Meanwhile they sent away draft picks.
The Clippers meanwhile just collected draft picks and other trade pieces.