OCTOBER 3: The signing is official, the Celtics announced in a press release.
SEPTEMBER 30: The Celtics have agreed to a deal with free agent big man Blake Griffin, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN (Twitter link). According to Wojnarowski, Griffin will sign a fully guaranteed one-year contract with Boston.
The deal will be worth the veteran’s minimum, Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe confirms (via Twitter). Griffin will earn $2,905,851, while the Celtics will take on a cap hit of $1,836,090.
Griffin, 33, spent last season in Brooklyn, averaging 6.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game for the Nets in 56 appearances (17.1 MPG). His shooting line was just .425/.262/.724.
The six-time All-Star’s role and production have declined significantly since his prime years with the Clippers and Pistons. Last season was the first time he came off the bench more often than he started, the first time he averaged fewer than 25 minutes per game, and the first time he averaged fewer than 11 points per game.
Still, the Celtics won’t be expecting Griffin to recapture his All-Star form. Boston simply needs more reliable depth in a frontcourt that has already been hit hard by injuries. Danilo Gallinari is expected to miss most or all of the 2022/23 season while recovering from a torn ACL, while Robert Williams will be out until at least November or December following knee surgery.
Multiple reports leading up to training camp indicated that the Celtics wanted to take a look at their in-house options before deciding whether to sign a veteran free agent. Several days into camp, it seems the team had seen enough to recognize that another veteran was necessary.
The Cetlics had no shortage of options in free agency — LaMarcus Aldridge, Carmelo Anthony, Hassan Whiteside, DeMarcus Cousins, Tristan Thompson, and Dwight Howard are among the unsigned veterans still on the market. But the team attended Griffin’s recent workouts in Los Angeles and liked what it saw there, per Himmelsbach.
Boston has a full 20-man training camp roster, so the club will need to waive a player in order to make room for Griffin. I’d expect one of the six players on a non-guaranteed contract – Noah Vonleh, Jake Layman, Justin Jackson, Brodric Thomas, Luka Samanic, or Denzel Valentine – to be cut to open up a spot.
Dam I wanted the Nets to bring him back. Nash never played him but when he did play he was a huge spark plug. He lead most of our comebacks
He was a huge spark plug in the playoffs 2 years ago. Other than that he’s just a guy out there. I think he has to be in the right situation and Brooklyn was not it this last season and Griffin walked through games with indifference.
I think signing with Boston is a good idea and he will be reinvigorated and will be more likely to contribute this year versus last year.
Griffin is kind of a clown and the mental part of basketball is big with him. Mind games etc, different things like that. He needs to be “checked in” to be effective and playing with the Celtics this year might do it. Pretty good signing.
We will see. He looked washed with the Nets.
First, did anyone here see this one coming?
Second, does anyone wish they’d signed Dwight instead?
I think I’d rather have Blake griffin. He’s a small ball Center and I think that’s more effective in today’s game. He can shoot the three and cover the four and five whereas Dwight is strictly an old school five at this point.
You are absolutely right. Blake Griffin can play the 4 or 5 and guard the 4 or 5. Then he can pass really good and shoot the open three.
Hes finished my friend. Watching him struggle to even get off the bench last year was embarrassing.
1) Of course, no one saw this coming. FO rarely telegraph their moves. 2) Of course, someone will complain they didn’t sign Dwight. FO look at how the team fits together.
I wanted them to sign Dwight big time.
Of course, you wanted them to sign, “Dwight big time”. You guys always pop up.
LaMarcus Aldridge is 37 years old. I think he’s going to retire. He’s a 7 time all star so he will be in the hall of fame.
Dwight Howard is 36 years old. I think he’s going to retire. He’s a 8 time all star and 3 time defensive player of the year so he will be a first ballot hall of fame.
DeMarcus Cousins 32 years old
Hassan Whiteside 33 years old
Tristan Thompson 31 years old
These three Centers might have to start the year off without a team but I think they can all still find a job with the Brooklyn Nets, Toronto Raptors, or the Portland Trail Blazers as the season goes on.
I think Carmelo Anthony will look great on the Denver Nuggets to finish his career.
Every one you named should not be hof or nowhere near it. Stats and recent dumb records makes these fake superstars looks good. Lebron is a prime example,the goat lol. Goat at flopping and complaining
Blake Griffin had very little left to offer when he was in Detroit, and had nothing to offer for Brooklyn.
Celtic frontcourt is being held together with band aids right now. Doesn’t hurt anything to take a flyer on a washed Blake Griffin.
If Blake Griffin is on the floor for 15-20 minutes per night … then your team is not a title contender.
Gonna have to make a trade!
Last year was really bad for Blake Griffin because Steve Nash did a horrible job coaching and using Blake Griffin. I think he’s going to have more like his 2020-2021 season with the Boston Celtics. 16-20 minutes a game he’s going to look great. The Boston Celtics are going to love how hard he plays and all the charges he take. He’s going to be a fan favorite instantly.
Stick with your Utah jazz gobble, big Blake is toast and it has nothing to do with nash. By the way your grammar is brutal.
Capitalize Nash*
Completely agree. Steve Nash was horrendous. Especially in the playoffs. He didn’t put Griffin in until Gm 3 and Blake actually gave the Nets a big spark. He scored 8pts in 8 mins and was hustling. Game 4 he played 17 mins but it was too late by then. Griffin played a total of 25 minutes….while Andre Drummond played 60!! Lol. That saus all you need to know about Nash’s coaching.
Game 4 he played 17 minutes 36 seconds and scored 0 points on 0-3 shooting.
His last ten games for the Nets he avgd 4.6 ppg with a +/- of -3.1/gm
Tell us how that’s somehow Nash’s fault.
Facts!
He obviously won’t be on the floor 15-20 minutes a night.
He’s back of the bench depth. He can’t play D well enough to stay out there.
I personally loathed Blake Griffin. I hated watching him when the Celtics played against him especially in Detroit and Brooklyn. But your summary of him is not entirely accurate.
His first year with Detroit he averaged 20 and 7. His last year with them he averaged 12 and 5.
2020 with the Nets he averaged 10 and 5 in just 20 mins pg.
When he’s engaged he hustles and is good at annoying the other team.
Obviously I’ll love him as a Celtic. I’m sure he’ll be a fan favorite.
Nash really should of played him more. There were plenty of articles stating such during the Nets first rd sweep last year. Not just my opinion.
Thats the basicly the same front court that went to the finals last year. Those are some extraordinary bandaids.
Plus they added a couple 6’10 first rounders and Kabengule.
Yes Timelord is out for 8 plus weeks but thats what bench guys like Griffin and Vonleh are for. That and spelling Horford.
Dont you worry bout the Celtics.
Interesting signing. Looked at his stats to see if Blake was ever a good 3pt shooter. I mean after seeing him shoot & miss so badly last year for Brooklyn. He was ok & a decent rebounder in the past too. Go Celtics!
I’m extremely excited for Blake Griffin. He’s going to get a chance to play for a championship caliber team. This is the team I wanted to see him get signed to. With the injuries to Danilo Gallinari and Robert Williams he’s going to be in the rotation all season.
Blake Griffin in the Celtic playing rotation all season????
You say this is a “good” thing?????
He won’t be.
It’s a great thing actually
It’s a great thing for Milwaukee, Brooklyn, Toronto, Philly and Miami.
It really isn’t. Giannini about to fall off a cliff.
Totally agree. The celtics are a mess
Extremely excited? lmao. Gotta love Celtic fans, always delusional when it comes to players on their teams. Blake is WASHED.
Finally a Celtic Redhead!!!!
Blake’s passing will be huge! Also can shoot. He is lookin at AL Horford and thinking that is his future role in this league!!!
What league are you watching?
The league where the 76ers alway lose in the playoffs
Success favors the optimist. Have you ever met a successful pessimist?
Go Celtics!
Why
Boston needs to be on the phone with Sacramento to acquire Richaun Holmes. He would give the Celtic frontcourt the boost that it needs. He is expendable since they traded for Domantas Sabonis last year.
You gotta stop worrying so much about Boston so much man. I know last year was hard for you, but let it go.
I think the Celtics should offer Derrick white afor Holmes straight up.
I always love a good Train Wreck unfold.
You’re a Nets fan, so that makes perfect sense.
I consider myself to be more of an NBA analyst/guru than a fan of any particular team.
I do like the Nets in 2022-23 though. Brooklyn and Milwaukee are the class of the Eastern Conference.
You consider yourself a guru. Enough said.
Barry the Sixers are going to be right there with the bucks.
Are you arguing with the guru? Also I liked ojdiddoit better.
I love Embiid. I like the addition of DeAnthony Melton. I can buy into Philly as a legit threat if the season ends with Embiid fully healthy, fresh and ready to go into full Playoff beast-mode. A less than 100% Embiid then ??????
The guru has spoken
@Very
Your comments claiming the nets are going to win the title indicate far more fandom than basketball knowledge.
Fandom???
Brooklyn Starting Lineup
Kyrie Irving
Seth Curry
Royce O’Neal
Kevin Durant
Ben Simmons
These guys ain’t good enough to win a title?????
Nooo
Our Celtics are ok. We don’t need to be trading people. Hold steady. We may start slow but we’re learned last season to play together as a team & we have enough decent talent already. No panicking. Go Celtics!
Agree. Team is good as it is. They will be ready come playoff time.
Brad Stevens does it again, this is a great signing. Griffin will fit right in with the style of play the Celtics utilize. Great signing!!!
Pass that blunt.
I’m thinking maybe he’s smoking on some GG4. A personal favorite of mine.
Decent.
He’s 33 and has lost more than a step – FG% down to 46%/23%. Meh.
Hes lost everything.
I’m intrigued to see what jersey number Blake Griffin going to wear. He’s worn 32, 23, and 2 in his career and all them are retired by the Boston Celtics.
He’s going to look good and play well for them.
Is Zero retired? cuz that is what his current skills amount to.
91
Based on the listed options, Griffin was a good choice. Based on what I saw with BKN, the guy is still hungry, but at the same time adaptable to a situational role.
If they were missing Horford (as opposed to Williams) a guy like Aldridge might have made sense. The other guys listed are just too high maintenance for the back of the roster.
Unless he has a comeback season this is probably it for him
Good pickup. Always can use a vet who wants to win. Gives them good depth. I thought Aldridge might be a better fit.
Can play 6 minutes a half, draw a charge, grab a few rebounds, a couple personal fouls, and has a 1 in 3 chance of sinking a 3 from any where behind the arc. Not the worst 11th or 12th man or 3rd 4/5 until Timelord gets healthier
i would have taken aldridge also
As a Clippers Fan I wish Griff nuttin but the best in Boston! Anyone on this board think that Leonard and George will take the Clips to the Ship this year? I sure do.