The Los Angeles Clippers made one of the biggest trades of the year by moving their star power forward Blake Griffin to the Detroit Pistons on Monday night. The transaction came as a surprise to fans and players who believed that Griffin was a main-stay in Los Angeles. In the off-season, the Clippers courted Griffin and implored him to sign with them. Rightfully so, Griffin signed a five-year, $171 million deal with the Clippers, initially confirming that he would become the team's franchise star for the future.
Now, all of that planning has been reduced to ashes. In fact, even Griffin was surprised that he was moved himself, according to Alex Vejar of AVP Sports.
Blake on if he was shocked he got traded: “Shocked is a good way to put it. I didn’t know anything. I pretty much found out when everybody else found out.”
This is truly shocking. The Clippers went through the trouble of creating an elaborate sales pitch for Griffin during his free agency, offered him a max contract, and proceeded to build around him. Then, suddenly, he is traded without any warning. Although the NBA is a business, some common courtesy would have been instrumental in this transaction so that both parties could have moved on smoothly. Apparently, that wasn't the case, and it left Griffin confused about the whole trade.
This trade doesn't signal the end for Griffin at all, though. He is expected to be a big part of the Pistons' rotation and will help lead the franchise to the playoffs. Hopefully, Griffin can move on peacefully from the whole situation.
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