— Van Gundy’s desperation turned out to be the Clippers’ saving grace. They didn’t know if they could find a taker for Griffin’s massive contract, with four years and $141 million to go, after owner Steve Ballmer decided he couldn’t go forward with Griffin. He reportedly reached that conclusion after Griffin’s December was a total washout due to his latest knee injury. So just six months after selling Griffin on being a Clipper for life, they were scrambling to find a trade partner.
http://www.sportingnews.com/nba/news/nba-trade-rumors-deadline-news-tyreke-evans-grizzlies-celtics-sixers-thunder-clippers/1qvqw08f7ujpw1to5swxc6pie5
LAC can afford to re-set for 2019 free agent class (Kawhi Leonard, Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, Kevin Love and Kemba Walker) because LA is a draw. Detroit has to gamble on Griffin's health because we're capped out and otherwise going nowhere.