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When the Detroit Pistons were in pursuit of Blake Griffin, they were not sure whether they could get him.
They looked around the market for many possible players who could be available, but quickly became focused on Griffin as the main target. They put the deal together and made it happen.
But the Pistons were also prepared for the possibility of the deal for Griffin not getting done. In fact, Detroit had its eye on a certain member of the Cleveland Cavaliers if they missed on Griffin, per Jake Fischer of Sports Illustrated.
For Detroit, the deal needed to be consummated well in advance of the trade deadline. Including Tuesday night’s win over the Cleveland Cavaliers, eight of the team’s nine games before the All-Star break are at home. “It’s time to make a run now,” said one team source. If the Pistons failed to close on Griffin, Detroit was prepared to turn its attention to Kevin Love.
That would have been interesting. Love is a much different player than Griffin. Love is a proven 3-point shooter with a good post game who can also rebound with the best of them. On the other hand, Griffin is a great passer who has an improving jump shot and can score much more easily than Love.
Perhaps Love would have been easier to pair with Andre Drummond as well.
But the Pistons did not need that contingency plan, as they ended up getting their man in Griffin. But it would have been interesting to see Love in a Detroit uniform.
