Six-time All-Star Blake Griffin and the Detroit Pistons have agreed to stay out of the lineup until the franchise and its representatives work on a resolution about his future, Pistons general manager Troy Weaver told ESPN.
The Pistons will continue to pursue trading scenarios involving Griffin, and talks about ending the deal with his Excel Sports agent Sam Goldfeder could eventually go in the same direction.
The Pistons are on their way to a rebuild under Weaver, and this gives the franchise a chance to play with younger players while Griffin is on his way to finding a role in a fighting team.
“After an extensive discussion with Blake’s representatives, it was decided that we will work on a solution about his future with the team that maximizes the interests of both parties,” Weaver told ESPN Monday. “We respect all the efforts Blake has made in Detroit and we will work towards a positive outcome for all involved,” he added.
In a statement, Griffin told ESPN, “I am grateful to the Pistons for understanding what I want to achieve in my career and for working together on the best way forward.”
Finding a trade for Griffin, who still owes $ 36.6 million this season and $ 39 million in 2021-2022, is going to be a challenge. But the team will continue to look for a deal until the March 25 deadline.
Detroit has undergone a complete overhaul under freshman general manager Weaver, and the opportunity to play with the youngest players in the franchise, including rookie forward Saddiq Bey, is now setting precedent.
Injuries drastically changed Griffin’s game, eliminating the high-flying attacks that characterized his All-Star career. He has averaged 12.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.9 assists for Detroit this season. Griffin had solid back-to-back performances Thursday and Friday, including 12 points, six assists, and four rebounds in a win over the Boston Celtics.
Griffin signed a $ 171 million maximum five-year contract with the LA Clippers, which arrived in Detroit in late January 2018.