Six-time NBA All-Star Blake Griffin has agreed to end his contract with the Detroit Pistons and will become an unrestricted free agent, sources told ESPN.
The Brooklyn Nets, Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat and Portland Trail Blazers are expected to be among the teams Griffin will consider for his next stop, sources told ESPN.
Griffin, 31, would make a decision on his next quintet after discussions with interested teams, the sources said.
Finding a trade for Griffin, who owed $ 36.6 million this season and $ 39 million in 2021-2022, before the buyout, was an insurmountable challenge for the Pistons. Detroit finalized a cut in his remaining free agency salary in negotiations with Griffin’s agent, Sam Goldfeder of Excel Sports, as the parties mutually agreed that he would keep the squad active on February 15 pending a trade or buyout.
Detroit has begun a full overhaul under freshman general manager Troy Weaver, and the ability to give minutes to the franchise’s youngest players is a priority for the Pistons.
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 was traded after less than a season of his $ 171 million five-year contract with the LA Clippers, arriving in Detroit in late January 2018.