Golden State Warriors Rumors: Team has interest in Blake Griffin
The Detroit Pistons and former All-Star Blake Griffin have agreed on a buyout, and the Golden State Warriors have an interest in him. There will be a plethora of playoff-contending teams that chase after the forward that helped create the old “Lob City” Clippers.
Griffin will hit the market after spending the last few years with the Pistons. This was bound to happen after Griffin’s play had dropped off. Combine that with his contract, and it’s easy to see that this was a win-win move.
Now, Griffin will be an unrestricted free agent and able to sign with any team he chooses.
The Golden State Warriors have recently dropped out of playoff contention and could use a spark. Could Blake Griffin provide that for them?
Alex Didion of Yahoo! Sports noted that multiple reports have placed the Warriors as a team interested in Griffin. The Warriors, having been to five of the last six NBA Finals and with Stephen Curry playing at an MVP level, should be an enticing destination.
The downside to Golden State for Griffin is that the Warriors wouldn’t have the cap space to offer him much more than the minimum. Also, Griffin, who does his work with the ball in his hands, may not be a great fit for Golden State.
Having played and started 20 games this season, Griffin’s averaging 12.3 points per game, the lowest amount of his career.
On top of that, he’s shooting under 40 percent from the field for the second straight season.
These last two seasons have been the only two in which it has dipped under that percentage. He could provide three-point shooting though. Griffin has drilled two triples per game this season, so that’s a positive for any team that adds him.
The Warriors make an intriguing destination.
With Curry clearly the leader, Golden State has added players to help maximize his potential. With Klay Thompson’s disabled player exception, the Warriors should be able to bring Griffin in without too much of a hit in the luxury tax.
As for his fit on the roster, Draymond Green starts at the four, but Griffin, as he’s transitioned into the later stages of his career, has played more center. He averages around 15 percent of his time at center.
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It seems unlikely the two will eventually reach an agreement, but it should be a move Golden State at least mulls over as Griffin’s offensive abilities would provide a new dimension, especially considering their recent frontcourt woes.