Adrian Wojnarowski dropped a ‘Woj-bomb” of pretty epic proportions on Monday. The effects of said bombshell could have league-wide ramifications…and it could end up directly affecting the Boston Celtics.
You see, Blake Griffin’s tenure with the team has ended. The six-time All-Star is sitting out until further notice, unwilling to suit up ever again for the Detroit Pistons and actively pushing for a trade or a buyout:
"Six-time NBA All-Star forward Blake Griffin and the Detroit Pistons have agreed that he will be out of the lineup until the franchise and his representatives work through a resolution on his playing future, Pistons general manager Troy Weaver told ESPN. The Pistons will continue to pursue trade scenarios involving Griffin, and talks on a contract buyout with his agent, Sam Goldfeder of Excel Sports, could eventually come into focus."
Griffin is in the midst of another career-worst season, seeing his scoring plummet to a career-low 12 points per game. No longer a superstar, Griffin may still have plenty to contribute to a contender as he looks to earn one last sizable contract.
In a non-starring role, Griffin could be the missing piece to one of the league’s fledgling contenders.
Which one though? Hardwood Houdini is here to rank the Boston Celtics among the top potential free-agent destinations for the 5x All-NBA talent:
5. Dallas Mavericks
It’s a stretch to call the Dallas Mavericks “contenders” in 2020-21, but the team has the talent to be considered one. Luka Doncic’s presence gives this team a puncher’s chance in any matchup, but playmaking and scoring outside of the 2019-20 MVP candidate are hard to find in the Metroplex.
Blake Griffin could change that in a hurry. While it’s unfair to expect him to be the third head on a potential Mavericks “Big 3” hydra with Kristaps Porzingis–who is struggling to perform at respectable levels himself this season–but he would move the needle for Dallas and bring them closer to a title than they are right now.
4. Los Angeles Lakers
The heated historical rival of the Boston Celtics, the Los Angeles Lakers, has an immediate need for Blake Griffin. Anthony Davis is now expected to be out of action until after the All-Star break, making the need for a traditional power forward a must-have if the team wants to maintain its identity with AD out of action.
Griffin’s lack of 3-point shooting makes things a little clunky alongside LeBron James, who still does a great deal of operating out of the post. That said, the two would be an explosive fast-break combo that would keep opposing defenses up at night.
The only thing that could potentially hinder Griffin from joining such an arrangement is the fact that a starting job isn’t guaranteed once Anthony Davis returns.
3. Portland Trailblazers
Portland is another team with an immediate need for Griffin, and as of right now, they have the means to hand him the reins to a long-term role.
The Trailblazers have been starting Derrick Jones Jr. at the power forward spot, and while the lanky Jones has the length to be a disruptor on defense, his offensive game has never been efficient. His lack of floor-spacing ability allows defenses to laser in on the likes of Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum.
Griffin has never been a sniper himself, but all of the playmaking and easy points he creates make him a lineup upgrade over Jones at the moment.
2. Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics could definitely use a spark of any kind right now. Blake Griffin being signed to a short-term, minimum contract would be quite the useful spark…at least in the short-term.
A prime Griffin would be the perfect addition to the Cs at the moment, considering the team sits in the middle of the pack in rebounds league-wide. No longer the glass-gobbler he once was, his rebounding percentage has plummeted below 10% the past two years.
Even the Griffin that exists right now would be an upgrade at the 4 over Daniel Theis, Semi Ojeleye, or Grant Williams. That said, Griffin may be looking for more playmaking opportunities than the Cs can offer him, already employing four players (Kemba Walker, Marcus Smart, Jayson Tatu, Jaylen Brown) that like to operate with the ball in their hands.
Even if he is willing to accept a smaller role, there’s a fellow east contender that would give him a better chance of winning a championship and earning one last sizable contract…
1. Brooklyn Nets
There’s no better spot for Griffin to land than the Nets, and it isn’t necessarily close. In Brooklyn, Griffin would be joining the most offensively-gifted “Big 3” of this generation (and perhaps of all time) in Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving.
Not only that but the other member of the Nets’ prospective starting five, Deandre Jordan, spent the better part of eight years playing alongside Griffin in LA. That familiarity is especially important considering the chemistry the two formed, particularly in the pick-and-roll game with Griffin throwing lobs.
The Boston Celtics cannot offer the same opportunities, and they also cannot offer as much money. Brooklyn gained a $5.7 million disabled player exception they can lure Griffin to NYC with.