The Detroit Pistons have been granted a $9.2 million disabled player exception for the projected season-ending injury to star forward Blake Griffin, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.
The Pistons had applied for this exception nearly two weeks ago, as the NBA gathered evidence that the injury was in fact season-ending. Griffin underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee two weeks ago and will be out for “an extended rehabilitation period,” one that the NBA deemed long enough to grant the exception.
Detroit can now use that $9.2 million to acquire a player for the remainder of the season, though they are heavily expected to be major sellers ahead of the Feb. 6 trade deadline. There are other roadblocks as well:
What does the NBA rewarding DET with a $9.26M DPE mean?
* Season for B. Griffin is likely over considering the exception is granted for players considered out until 6/15
* DET is $3,669 below the tax and $5.8M below the hard cap- would need to clear a roster spot and $$ to use.
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) January 22, 2020
Blake Griffin didn't get much of a run this season because he was hampered by his knee injury. The 30-year-old looked to be greatly bothered by his left knee, favoring the right side of his body and often not moving well.
Coming off an All-Star season in 2019, Griffin saw his numbers plummet during his 18 games played this season, posting averages of 15.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 3.3 assists while shooting poorly.
Griffin's lackluster play forced Andre Drummond to step up in his absence, and now that Drummond is expected to opt out of the last year of his contract, the Pistons are feeling confident they will be able to trade him.
Detroit has had talks with multiple teams about Drummond, but one of their main potential partners, the Atlanta Hawks, have given up on trying to make a deal, considering they could offer him a gaudy contract in the summer as a free agent.
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