Well, that escalated quickly.
Mere minutes after reports broke that the Detroit Pistons were in serious discussions to acquire Blake Griffin from the Los Angeles Clippers, it now looks like a deal is finalized.
The Clippers and Pistons have agreed on a deal to trade Blake Griffin for Tobias Harris, Avery Bradley, Boban Marjanovic, a first-round and a second-round draft pick, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 29, 2018
This is most definitely a sign that the Clippers are blowing the whole thing up and set to rebuild. The team is currently one game over .500 and in the ninth position out west.
According to the report, the Clippers have acquired Tobias Harris, Avery Bradley, Boban Marjanovic and a first-round pick in exchange for Griffin. The Clippers are also sending Willie Reed and Brice Johnson to Detroit in the deal.
Clippers are includig Brice Johnson and Willie Reed in the trade, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 29, 2018
Griffin, 28, has struggled with injuries over the past several seasons, missing 84 games since the start of the 2014-15 campaign. But he’s still among the most-skilled bigs in the game. The veteran is averaging 22.6 points, 7.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game on the season.
He’ll join All-Star snub Andre Drummond in what is now the best frontcourt in the entire Eastern Conference. As with the Clippers out west, the Pistons currently find themselves as the ninth seed back east. But a trade of this ilk seemingly guarantees that Stan Van Gundy’s squad will be playing in the second season.
As it relates to the Clippers, we would not be shocked to see fellow All-Star DeAndre Jordan moved here at some point, as well. He’s been bandied about as a trade chip and the two sides are not close to an extension.
This trade comes mere months after the Clippers signed Griffin to the largest contract extension in franchise history. Obviously, something has changed between then and now.