Pistons forward Blake Griffin hasn’t discussed his future with the team’s front office since the franchise went into full rebuild mode, he told the Detroit Free Press. Griffin is making good progress from the arthroscopic debridement of his left knee he underwent in January, the second surgical procedure he had on the knee in less than nine months.
“My focus is on what I can control and that’s my rehab and getting back on the court,” he said. “When the time comes, I’ll have that conversation but I don’t think that time is right now.”
Griffin’s latest rehab has gone well and he expects to do his usual offseason training regimen. His guaranteed $36.8MM cap charge for next season and a ’21/22 player option worth nearly $39MM will be nearly impossible to move in a trade.
We have more on the Pistons:
- Rookie first-rounder Sekou Doumbouya was assigned to the Pistons’ G League affiliate in Grand Rapids on Friday for a simple reason. “Sekou needs to play. He needs to play as much as anything,” coach Dwane Casey said. “I’ve had other players who are now stars in this league play (their first) two years doing the same thing. There’s no disrespect going down there.” Doumbouya showed his potential by reaching double digits in points seven times during an eight-game stretch in January but he’s only scored in double digits once since that outburst.
- Guard Jordan McRae, who was claimed off waivers earlier this week, has a favorable early impression of the organization. McRae will be an unrestricted free agent this summer and hopes to establish some roots after playing for three teams this season. “We haven’t talking about anything like that,” McRae said of whether Detroit plans to re-sign him. “I’ve been to a lot of places and this is top-notch. If this is the place I could make a home, I would love to.”
- Guard Bruce Brown has missed the last four games due to a sore left knee but he’s expected to return against Utah on Saturday. Brown has practiced this week and Casey thought he’d play against Oklahoma City on Wednesday but the medical staff decided he needed a little more time.
If all health concerns play out in Detroit’s favor they could easily be back in the playoffs next year with a core of blake, drose , Christian wood and Luke Kennard. But that would mean all those guys stay healthy next season……
Could be back in the playoffs? Perhaps, but as a 6-8 seed that has zero chance of contending for anything more. Wood is def underrated and has a future. Kennard has some value, D Rose too. But none of them are special. And blake is washed. Even if he comes back and puts up numbers, theyll be empty
Dudes not even 31 and you think he’s washed? Wow…don’t quit your day job.
Here are his games played the last 6 years
67
35
61
58
75
18
That’s why people think he is washed, not because of his age.
I get he has an injury history, but he just played essentially a full season last year as an all star and avg 60 games the 2 years prior.
He has bounced back every time from injury and still performed at an elite level. So the track record is not showing washed up.
Washed may be a bit strong, I admit. But I’ll double-down on the “even if he comes back and puts up numbers, they’ll be empty”. My point is that a healthy Blake isnt leading this team into real contention
I’ll agree with that part. He’ll need massive help.
Greg Oden was washed up at 22. Injuries matter. D Rose lost how many years? Blake has been wearing down and injury prone. It’s a legitimate statement.
Think of it like this… who is going to give up assets for a limited and injury prone Blake Griffin making almost 40M? Only least likely trade out there is John Wall.
Discussion was never on if he was tradeable.
I could see the knicks trading for Blake with like Portis, Randle and frank. Maybe the pistons throw in svi and maker and some seconds rounders.
Nah… why stop there.
CP3 and Blake to the Knicks.
Randle, Portis, Taj, Ellington, Ntilikina, DSJ, Payton, and Bullock out the door. Top 20 protected 1sts that turn into a 2 after 2 years.
Mitchell, Blake, Knox, RJ, CP3
It at least gets them to the back end of the lottery. Maybe a few less sell the team chants.
Blake is one season away from being considered valuable.
Bad season *