Six-time All-Star Blake Griffin and the Detroit Pistons have agreed they will be out of lineup until the franchise and its representatives work on a resolution on their future, said Pistons general manager Troy Weaver, ESPN.
The Pistons will continue to look for exchange scenarios involving Griffin and talks about the termination of his contract with his agent Sam Goldfeder of Excel Sports could eventually go in the same direction.
The Pistons are moving toward a rebuild under Weaver, and this gives the franchise a chance to play with younger players as Griffin moves toward finding a role on a contending team.
“After an extensive conversation with Blake representatives, it was determined that we will begin work to facilitate a resolution on his future with the team that maximizes the interests of both parties,” Weaver told ESPN Monday. “We respect all the effort Blake has made in Detroit and will work to achieve a positive outcome for everyone involved,” he added.
In a statement, Griffin told ESPN, “I’m grateful to the Pistons for understanding what I want to achieve in my career and for working together on the best path to follow.”
Finding an exchange for Griffin, who has $ 36,600,000 left this season and $ 39 million in 2021-2022, will be a challenge. But the team will continue to seek an agreement until the March 25 deadline.
Detroit went into a complete rebuild under freshman general manager Weaver, and the opportunity to play with the youngest players in the franchise, including starting winger Saddiq Bey, is taking precedent now.
Injuries have drastically altered Griffin’s game, eliminating the high-flying attacks that marked his career in the All-Star Game. He is averaging 12.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.9 assists for Detroit this season. Griffin had solid consecutive performances Thursday and Friday, including 12 points, six assists and four rebounds in a away win over the Boston Celtics.
Griffin signed a maximum five-year, $ 171 million contract with the LA Clippers, and arrived in Detroit in late January 2018.