BLAKE GRIFFIN LEAVES THE CLIPPERS
Written by Andria on January 30, 2018
(XAVIER)– The LA Clippers have agreed to trade All Star forward Blake Griffin to the Detroit Pistons.
The Clippers will receive Tobias Harris, Avery Bradley, Boban Marjanovic and a first and second round draft pick. The Clippers are also sending Bryce Johnson and Willie Reed to the Detroit Pistons alongside Griffin.
Protections on Detroit’s 2018 first-round pick include 1-4 in 2018, 2019 and 2020, and unprotected in 2021, per sources. Talks on the blockbuster trade began six days ago, but accelerated in the past 24 hours, according to league sources. The framework of a deal had been in place since early afternoon.
Sources say deals for Lou Williams and Deandre Jordan are still in the works as the Clippers have a plan to move forward and focus on younger players and draft picks while competing for a playoff spot this season.
This season, Griffin is averaging 22.6 points, 7.9 rebounds and 5.4 assists in 33 games for the 25-24 Clippers, who are in ninth place in the Western Conference.
Griffin’s career has been riddled with injuries. After being drafted with the first pick in the ‘09 NBA draft by the Clippers, Griffin broke his left kneecap, had surgery and missed the entire 09-10 season.
The very next season, what would officially be his rookie year, Griffin was selected as an All-Star, won the NBA Slam Dunk Contest, and was named the NBA Rookie of the Year.
The question is after dealing two of their premier perimeter players be able to sneak into the playoffs with the likes of Andre Drummond and Blake Griffin in the frontcourt. The Pistons currently sit 9th in the eastern conference 3 games behind the Philadelphia 76ers.
