The blockbuster deal that sent Blake Griffin from the L.A. Clippers to the Detroit Pistons still has everyone in disbelief and now the aftershocks are coming. According to ESPN Senior Writer Ramona Shelburne, the team’s front office led by Jerry West, influenced owner Steve Ballmer to rebuild now rather than later.

“Third reaction to Clippers trading Blake Griffin. Their new front office of Jerry West, Lawrence Frank, Michael Winger has clearly convinced Steve Ballmer it's time for a rebuild. That's a huge step for the new group and Ballmer for listening. Question is: who has his ear?”

Thought to be rebuilding the team around Griffin after All-Star point guard Chris Paul left for the Houston Rockets, the Clippers have now lost their two cornerstone players in less than a year. Rather than keeping Griffin, the franchise has decided to go in a full rebuild mode perhaps in a similar fashion as the Philadelphia 76ers.

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Earlier today, the ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski broke the news that the Clippers are sending Griffin together with Brice Johnson and Willie Reed to the Detroit Pistons for Tobias Harris, Avery Bradley, Boban Marjanovic, and a first-round and second-round draft pick.

Griffin is currently averaging 22.6 points, 7.9 rebounds, 5.4 assists.

When healthy, Griffin is one of the NBA’s best players and certainly one of its elite. The problem with both Griffin and Paul the past few years involved their health which has jeopardized their chances of making a deep playoff run.

With the Pistons, Griffin will team up with center Andre Drummond to form a formidable frontcourt tandem.