[WOJ] Pistons and Blake Griffin agree to buyout *UPDATE 3/7 Agrees to Deal with Brooklyn...

[Chandan]

this is just getting silly.

[_Game7_]

Blake still has allot left in the tank, he was just used wrongly in Detroit. Make no mistake, the Nets will be absolutely dominate. Dang near locks for the finals. Lakers need to make their next move their best move.

[CIN-C-STAR]

Damn Pistons gonna be paying him $60 mill to NOT play for them the next two seasons?!

[tradez401]

I feel like Miami would be the best fit for Blake they got defenders and shooters so when Jimbo comes out Blake can come in to resume that Point Forward role Blake still gets double teamed when hes posting up so that gives him easy finds to Miami's shooters on the wing, Blake can still space the floor with his 3pters here and there. His rebounding is ehh nower days and defense is pretty bad due to his mobility dealing with his knees but his veteran leadership and basketball IQ should be good for them.

[oldshoolballer]

Damn Pistons gonna be paying him $60 mill to NOT play for them the next two seasons?!

That's insane.

[dynamic duo]

seems like durant is only after kitty-kat plastic rings at this point, got two with a 73-9 win team and now he's on another historically superstacked team with multiple prime mvps and all-stars. durant and kawhi have played their whole careers with historically superstacked teams.

[gavran]

Damn Pistons gonna be paying him $60 mill to NOT play for them the next two seasons?!

They are used to it.

[theonlyclutch]

Damn Pistons gonna be paying him $60 mill to NOT play for them the next two seasons?!

That's insane.

Never trade with Jerry West, Detroit got fleeced in that trade lmao.

[Sprewell4Three]

seems like durant is only after kitty-kat plastic rings at this point, got two with a 73-9 win team and now he's on another historically superstacked team with multiple prime mvps and all-stars. durant and kawhi have played their whole careers with historically superstacked teams.

What other MVP is on that team besides James Harden ?

[HollowEarth]

Pistons: So Blake, how are you liking Detroit?

BG: I would literally pay thirteen MILLION dollars to play anywhere else on Earth.

Pistons: Deal!

[queridiculo]

Damn Pistons gonna be paying him $60 mill to NOT play for them the next two seasons?!

I mean he was owed $75.5 million for the 2021 and 2022 season, seems like good business to me.

[sashaturiaf]

seems like durant is only after kitty-kat plastic rings at this point, got two with a 73-9 win team and now he's on another historically superstacked team with multiple prime mvps and all-stars. durant and kawhi have played their whole careers with historically superstacked teams.

Durant ain't the guy who set the competitive balance of the NBA on fire by teaming up with the 2 best prime guys in his own conference. Durant simply poured fuel on the fire because he wanted to watch the world burn.

Sure I'd respect KD more if he pissed on the fire instead. But you can't beat a raging wildfire with that.

[TheBrooklynKidd]

I was shocked the first time I saw Blake play this year. His mobility was gone. In some situations he looked like a shorter, thiccer version of 39-year-old Dirk Nowitzki. A loose ball scramble, an turnover resulting in change of direction... he looked unable to move and sometimes seemed like he was just trying to avoid getting injured. He looked like bending or changing direction was a painful thing.

Stats back it up. 0 dunks on the years from one of the best run and jump athletes ever. Bigtime career-lows in block rate, rebounding-rate, free-throw rate. Usage not even in the same universe. Only 14% of his shots come from inside 3 feet (previous career low was 27%, and for his career it's 35%).

This version of Blake Griffin has zero ability to help an NBA contender. I don't understand why a team would sign him, unless it's a make-good rehab chance like Boogie on the Lakers last year. He can't play. It would be great if he got healthy and found a way to be a productive player in some capacity... but right now... yeah why would someone sign him?

I mean you're talking about a roster spot that would otherwise go to Iman Shumpert or Andre Roberson.

What is the downside exactly?

Its certainly possible that he was tanking his way out of Detroit and will become way better once motivated. We've literally seen other players do the same things. Ex: Vince Carter in Toronto

If hes that bad you just cut him or bench him.

It doesn't preclude you from signing other buyout guys either if need be.

Not sure what the Vince example has to do with this. Vince was a healthy 27-year-old. His immediate bounce back in NJ was a surprise, but his spiraling play in Toronto was a bit of a mystery and clearly a mental issue. Blake Griffin turns 32 in a couple weeks. He's been mostly injured for the better parts of the last 6 seasons. Despite that, I'd still maybe hold out hope for a Blake comeback if I hadn't watched him play this season. The man can't move. Can't jump. Can't change directions. Doesn't even run in straight lines with his normal form. It's only been getting worse the last 2 seasons.

Yeah pretty much give me Andre Roberson, Iman Shumpert, MKG, RHJ, I dunno... Blake Griffin is Boogie Cousins from 1 year ago or 2010 Tracy McGrady. His name is big but his game is gone.

To be clear, I'd be super happy if Blake somehow reversed this trajectory and balled out in Brooklyn. But it's wild to expect it. Like you say there's no downside, I'm just not sure how anyone who has watched Blake Griffin this year would think it makes sense to sign him. Also, even peak Blake doesn't help Brooklyn's backline defense, their only realy weakness

I don’t think you realize how bad Roberson and Shumpert have been this year... or how bad RHJ and MKG were last year. There’s a reason Blake received interest from multiple teams while those guys are still FAs or on 10-Days.

All season Nets fans have complained about the lack of size and the need for a stretch big. Well now Brooklyn has addressed both of those problems and added immense playmaking and shot creating potential as well.

Who do you think will be better come playoff time? Blake Griffin surrounded by Kyrie/Durant/Harden or Batum surrounded by George/Leonard?

[TheBrooklynKidd]

Blake would have a more crucial role on the Lakers. His playmaking would help a lot and he'd easily just take Markieffs minutes.

Not sure Blake is going to be better than Green on the Nets, at least for the role they want him to play. But he's good insurance and could be really good.

Lakers lose out here I think

I know its not a popular opinion but Drummond would be better for us. Even Hassan.
Their egos are the biggest issue though. If we can make Dwight work, I think we could pull it off.
I don't think Kieff is that much worse than Blake is right now. Kieff wasn't even getting minutes when we were healthy. So Blake would be in the same situation.

I watched Drummond on the Pistons since he was a rookie, he has never had the proper environment for him to succeed

He put up empty stats early on in his career and no one ever had the guts to tell him he doesnt deserve the touches

Pretty sure LeBron James and Anthony Davis would convince Drummond to STFU and play for his next big bag

Drummond comes to LA, he is obsessed with celebrity culture/being famous/warm weather who isnt, wins a chip with the Lakers or at least puts up big numbers in a deep playoff run - both Lakers and Drummond benefit

Nets messed up big time, Drummond would have helped them a lot more than Blake

Why can’t Brooklyn get both?

They have the 1/$5.7 mill DPE, the 3/$18 mini MLE and 3 open roster spots.

[cupcakesnake]

I mean you're talking about a roster spot that would otherwise go to Iman Shumpert or Andre Roberson.

What is the downside exactly?

Its certainly possible that he was tanking his way out of Detroit and will become way better once motivated. We've literally seen other players do the same things. Ex: Vince Carter in Toronto

If hes that bad you just cut him or bench him.

It doesn't preclude you from signing other buyout guys either if need be.

Not sure what the Vince example has to do with this. Vince was a healthy 27-year-old. His immediate bounce back in NJ was a surprise, but his spiraling play in Toronto was a bit of a mystery and clearly a mental issue. Blake Griffin turns 32 in a couple weeks. He's been mostly injured for the better parts of the last 6 seasons. Despite that, I'd still maybe hold out hope for a Blake comeback if I hadn't watched him play this season. The man can't move. Can't jump. Can't change directions. Doesn't even run in straight lines with his normal form. It's only been getting worse the last 2 seasons.

Yeah pretty much give me Andre Roberson, Iman Shumpert, MKG, RHJ, I dunno... Blake Griffin is Boogie Cousins from 1 year ago or 2010 Tracy McGrady. His name is big but his game is gone.

To be clear, I'd be super happy if Blake somehow reversed this trajectory and balled out in Brooklyn. But it's wild to expect it. Like you say there's no downside, I'm just not sure how anyone who has watched Blake Griffin this year would think it makes sense to sign him. Also, even peak Blake doesn't help Brooklyn's backline defense, their only realy weakness

I don’t think you realize how bad Roberson and Shumpert have been this year... or how bad RHJ and MKG were last year. There’s a reason Blake received interest from multiple teams while those guys are still FAs or on 10-Days.

All season Nets fans have complained about the lack of size and the need for a stretch big. Well now Brooklyn has addressed both of those problems and added immense playmaking and shot creating potential as well.

Who do you think will be better come playoff time? Blake Griffin surrounded by Kyrie/Durant/Harden or Batum surrounded by George/Leonard?

"I don't think you realize how bad" Griffin has been this year.

I think I've seen every minute of Roberson and Shumpert this year so far... all 83 of them! While I'll admit to MKG's poor play, I have no idea what you mean about RHJ. He was excellent for the Raps last year whenever he was in the rotation. Did you watch him play before you called me out for not watching him play?

I'm not going to hate on Blake anymore here. I like the guy and hope he recovers in Brooklyn. I assume you've watched him play a bit this year and know how limited he is currently by health. I would be very surprised (in a pleasant way) if Blake was used heavily in the rotation in the playoffs if Brooklyn is otherwise healthy. His health this year, in Detroit, made him unable to bang much in the paint. He's not going to be able to do "big" stuff unless his health improves. He mostly shot threes in Detroit, and hardly put up "stretch big numbers" at 31% from 3. However, that could change in Brooklyn if he ends up playing next to multiple starters. There's not much reason to be worried about him on offense though, since Brooklyn's offense is going to be awesome no matter what. I would be worried (if Blake is going to be in the rotation in Brooklyn) about adding another defensive liability to a defense already ranked 26th in the league.

At the end of the day, Blake doesn't stop Brooklyn from adding another vet for the minimum. No downside to this move for them. I hope Blake's health improves in Brooklyn and that he's able to be a contributor in the playoffs. He's had such brutal injury luck for most of his career, it would be great to see him get to add a healthy chapter near the end. He's developed his skillset tremendously and it's a shame he never got to combine this skill set with his peak athleticism.

[TheBrooklynKidd]

Not sure what the Vince example has to do with this. Vince was a healthy 27-year-old. His immediate bounce back in NJ was a surprise, but his spiraling play in Toronto was a bit of a mystery and clearly a mental issue. Blake Griffin turns 32 in a couple weeks. He's been mostly injured for the better parts of the last 6 seasons. Despite that, I'd still maybe hold out hope for a Blake comeback if I hadn't watched him play this season. The man can't move. Can't jump. Can't change directions. Doesn't even run in straight lines with his normal form. It's only been getting worse the last 2 seasons.

Yeah pretty much give me Andre Roberson, Iman Shumpert, MKG, RHJ, I dunno... Blake Griffin is Boogie Cousins from 1 year ago or 2010 Tracy McGrady. His name is big but his game is gone.

To be clear, I'd be super happy if Blake somehow reversed this trajectory and balled out in Brooklyn. But it's wild to expect it. Like you say there's no downside, I'm just not sure how anyone who has watched Blake Griffin this year would think it makes sense to sign him. Also, even peak Blake doesn't help Brooklyn's backline defense, their only realy weakness

I don’t think you realize how bad Roberson and Shumpert have been this year... or how bad RHJ and MKG were last year. There’s a reason Blake received interest from multiple teams while those guys are still FAs or on 10-Days.

All season Nets fans have complained about the lack of size and the need for a stretch big. Well now Brooklyn has addressed both of those problems and added immense playmaking and shot creating potential as well.

Who do you think will be better come playoff time? Blake Griffin surrounded by Kyrie/Durant/Harden or Batum surrounded by George/Leonard?

"I don't think you realize how bad" Griffin has been this year.

I think I've seen every minute of Roberson and Shumpert this year so far... all 83 of them! While I'll admit to MKG's poor play, I have no idea what you mean about RHJ. He was excellent for the Raps last year whenever he was in the rotation. Did you watch him play before you called me out for not watching him play?

I'm not going to hate on Blake anymore here. I like the guy and hope he recovers in Brooklyn. I assume you've watched him play a bit this year and know how limited he is currently by health. I would be very surprised (in a pleasant way) if Blake was used heavily in the rotation in the playoffs if Brooklyn is otherwise healthy. His health this year, in Detroit, made him unable to bang much in the paint. He's not going to be able to do "big" stuff unless his health improves. He mostly shot threes in Detroit, and hardly put up "stretch big numbers" at 31% from 3. However, that could change in Brooklyn if he ends up playing next to multiple starters. There's not much reason to be worried about him on offense though, since Brooklyn's offense is going to be awesome no matter what. I would be worried (if Blake is going to be in the rotation in Brooklyn) about adding another defensive liability to a defense already ranked 26th in the league.

At the end of the day, Blake doesn't stop Brooklyn from adding another vet for the minimum. No downside to this move for them. I hope Blake's health improves in Brooklyn and that he's able to be a contributor in the playoffs. He's had such brutal injury luck for most of his career, it would be great to see him get to add a healthy chapter near the end. He's developed his skillset tremendously and it's a shame he never got to combine this skill set with his peak athleticism.

I did watch RHJ last year. He was good defensively but completely gummed up the Raptors offense to the point where he cancelled out anything he did on the defensive end. That’s why you had to say “when he was in the rotation.” Shumpert, Roberson and MKG are probably looking for apartments in China as we speak.

I’ll worry about the defensive rating when another team proves they can consistently hold Brooklyn to a comparatively lower offensive rating. I actually think Blake will help defensively. This team is horrifically undersized as currently constructed.

No one expects him to be prime athlete Blake Griffin. All he has to do to crack the rotation is be better than TLC and Tyler Johnson. I think that’s well within the realm of reasonable outcomes.

Look at what happened to Batum once he had open shots and something to play for. Blake will likely perform better next to better players and like you said there’s no downside.

[Sharcm1]

I don’t see the downside for the nets. The worst that happens is he sucks and doesn’t play. Big deal. They don’t have him now and only have garbage time players at the end of the bench. So he takes a G-league 10 day contract players spot. If the nets had to give up something for him then I would think twice.

Best case scenario is he snaps out of it and plays like the old Blake.

But I’m looking more of the reality of it. He goes to the nets and is a role player. The right role for him. Rebound, set screens. And rim run. Catch alley oops. He doesn’t have to be the man with the nets. He can just play off harden, Irving and Durant. No pressure. Doesn’t have to be the ball dominant player. If he can’t be the blake of old that’s fine. With the nets he just has to play a role that I would bet he could still do fine.

[TheBrooklynKidd]

I don’t see the downside for the nets. The worst that happens is he sucks and doesn’t play. Big deal. They don’t have him now and only have garbage time players at the end of the bench. So he takes a G-league 10 day contract players spot. If the nets had to give up something for him then I would think twice.

Best case scenario is he snaps out of it and plays like the old Blake.

But I’m looking more of the reality of it. He goes to the nets and is a role player. The right role for him. Rebound, set screens. And rim run. Catch alley oops. He doesn’t have to be the man with the nets. He can just play off harden, Irving and Durant. No pressure. Doesn’t have to be the ball dominant player. If he can’t be the blake of old that’s fine. With the nets he just has to play a role that I would bet he could still do fine.

I agree with everything you said except the offensive role you have him playing. I think he’ll be in a perimeter oriented role as a spot up shooter and weakside playmaker when the defense collapses around the Big 3.

[ChampionRed]

I hope Nets sign Blake. If he can be healthy for the playoffs, he's definitely useful.

[cupcakesnake]

I don’t think you realize how bad Roberson and Shumpert have been this year... or how bad RHJ and MKG were last year. There’s a reason Blake received interest from multiple teams while those guys are still FAs or on 10-Days.

All season Nets fans have complained about the lack of size and the need for a stretch big. Well now Brooklyn has addressed both of those problems and added immense playmaking and shot creating potential as well.

Who do you think will be better come playoff time? Blake Griffin surrounded by Kyrie/Durant/Harden or Batum surrounded by George/Leonard?

"I don't think you realize how bad" Griffin has been this year.

I think I've seen every minute of Roberson and Shumpert this year so far... all 83 of them! While I'll admit to MKG's poor play, I have no idea what you mean about RHJ. He was excellent for the Raps last year whenever he was in the rotation. Did you watch him play before you called me out for not watching him play?

I'm not going to hate on Blake anymore here. I like the guy and hope he recovers in Brooklyn. I assume you've watched him play a bit this year and know how limited he is currently by health. I would be very surprised (in a pleasant way) if Blake was used heavily in the rotation in the playoffs if Brooklyn is otherwise healthy. His health this year, in Detroit, made him unable to bang much in the paint. He's not going to be able to do "big" stuff unless his health improves. He mostly shot threes in Detroit, and hardly put up "stretch big numbers" at 31% from 3. However, that could change in Brooklyn if he ends up playing next to multiple starters. There's not much reason to be worried about him on offense though, since Brooklyn's offense is going to be awesome no matter what. I would be worried (if Blake is going to be in the rotation in Brooklyn) about adding another defensive liability to a defense already ranked 26th in the league.

At the end of the day, Blake doesn't stop Brooklyn from adding another vet for the minimum. No downside to this move for them. I hope Blake's health improves in Brooklyn and that he's able to be a contributor in the playoffs. He's had such brutal injury luck for most of his career, it would be great to see him get to add a healthy chapter near the end. He's developed his skillset tremendously and it's a shame he never got to combine this skill set with his peak athleticism.

I did watch RHJ last year. He was good defensively but completely gummed up the Raptors offense to the point where he cancelled out anything he did on the defensive end. That’s why you had to say “when he was in the rotation.” Shumpert, Roberson and MKG are probably looking for apartments in China as we speak.

I’ll worry about the defensive rating when another team proves they can consistently hold Brooklyn to a comparatively lower offensive rating. I actually think Blake will help defensively. This team is horrifically undersized as currently constructed.

No one expects him to be prime athlete Blake Griffin. All he has to do to crack the rotation is be better than TLC and Tyler Johnson. I think that’s well within the realm of reasonable outcomes.

Look at what happened to Batum once he had open shots and something to play for. Blake will likely perform better next to better players and like you said there’s no downside.

I'm fine with the optimism but I don't understand the details of yours or many Brooklyn fans.
Why would Blake help defensively? Why do you think he upgrades Brooklyn from a size perspective? Yes I know he's taller than Bruce Brown, but without the ability to move or jump, I'm not sure how he helps you with size. Blake pretty much played shooting guard in Detroit's offense, and on defense they had to hide him. At his peak, Blake was a bad defender, but he could hustle and bang in the paint. At his current status of health, Blake is a non-defender. He can't bang, rebound (he has the rebounding rate of a guard), block shots (he's blocked 2 shots all year) or move laterally. What are you imagining he brings on defense, or as a "big"?

I don't get the Batum comparison. Batum had a couple years of weird injuries (broken finger that later hyper extended, elbow injury, illness that lasted a while and made him lose a lot of weight, eye injury, weird migraines). He had a rough couple years but didn't sustain any injuries that are supposed to affect him long term. Not saying it was guaranteed that Batum was awesome in LA this year, as it's been a few years since he's been a productive NBA player. But there was nothing physically wrong with him in the long term. Blake on the other hand has had multiple arthroscopic surgeries on his left knee. He's injured his left knee and hamstring 6(?) different times since 2017.