[brid video=”646690″ player=”23231″ title=”NBA%20rumors%20Most%20realistic%20Giannis%20Antetokounmpo%20trade%20scenarios” duration=”97″ description=”Following his Milwaukee Bucks’ shocking secound round loss to the Miami Heat in the NBA Playoffs, reigning league MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo made sure to note that he’s not going to demand a trade this offseason.A lot of the speculation surrounding Giannis, who will be in a contract year during the 2020-21 campaign, has focused on a potential departure from Milwaukee. It makes sense for a number of reasons.” uploaddate=”2020-09-23 20:30:06″ thumbnailurl=”https://cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/17660/thumb/646690_t_1600893021.png” contentUrl=”https://cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/17660/sd/646690.mp4″]
At 31 years old and coming off a 2019-20 NBA season that saw him play in just 18 games, it stands to reason that the Detroit Pistons are stuck with six-time All-Star forward Blake Griffin. Despite this, rumors continue to persist that the Pistons might look to trade him during the NBA offseason.
We’re now hearing more on this story and it’s rather interesting.
NBA rumors: There’s apparently a trade market for Pistons All-Star Blake Griffin
“Enough people have asked me what i’ve heard about Blake Griffin and how he’s looking. what am I hearing. This and that. That I think Detroit is going to have a market for him,” ESPN’s Zach Lowe said on a recent podcast. “I don’t think it’s going to be strong. They’re not getting two first-round picks. Or even a first round pick unless they take back something onerous too. But I’ve had enough teams ask me about Blake Griffin that I think there is still interest in what he can do to help you win.”
Financially, it would be hard for the Pistons to trade Griffin without taking on another big contract in return. He’s won’t necessarily come cheap.
Blake Griffin contract
Griffin’s former Los Angeles Clippers squad signed him to a five-year, $171.2 million contract back in July of 2017. Whether it’s the Pistons or another team, he’s owed a nice amount of cash over the next two seasons.
- 2020-21: $36.81 million cap hit
- 2021-22: $38.96 million cap hit
That’s a lot of cash to pay someone who is in the back end of his prime and has had to deal with a multitude of injuries in recent seasons. Griffin missed all but 18 games this past year due to a knee injury that cost him time during the 2018-19 season. He’s played in north of 67 games just once since the end of the 2013-14 season.
Despite this, Griffin remains extremely valuable when on the court. Back in 2018-19 with the Pistons, Griffin averaged 24.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 5.4 assists on 46% shooting from the field.
NBA rumors: Potential Blake Griffin trade
According to the above-linked podcast with Zach Lowe, a rumor has come up surrounding Griffin heading to the Golden State Warriors in a blockbuster trade. Said deal would look like this.
- Pistons get: No. 2 overall pick in 2020 NBA Draft, Andrew Wiggins
- Warriors get: No. 7 overall pick in 2020 NBA Draft, Blake Griffin
Whether this even makes sense for either side remains to be seen. What we do know is that Golden State has been looking to trade the second pick. However, it might have a bigger target on the trade block in mind. As for the Pistons, they have unlimited options in the coming NBA draft.
Either way, NBA rumors are going to pick up here soon now that the 2020 NBA Finals have concluded. Griffin’s name will be among those most talked about.