Blake Griffin and the Detroit Pistons agreed to a purchase contract, making the six-time All-Star an unrestricted free agent, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski said on Friday.
Six-time All-Star winger Blake Griffin has agreed to a purchase contract with the Detroit Pistons and will become an unrestricted free agent, sources told ESPN.
– Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 5, 2021
Griffin attracted the interest of most of the top contenders for the league playoffs, according to ESPN. He will talk to the prospect teams before making a decision, according to the report.
Griffin awaited negotiation, launching since February
He had $ 36.6 million left in his contract this season and $ 39 million in 2021-22 before the purchase agreement, making it a tough deal for the Pistons to make. Griffin, 31, has been out of the Pistons’ schedule since February 15, while the team was working on a negotiation or eventual purchase. The negotiation deadline is March 25.
Griffin thanked the Pistons for “understanding what I want to accomplish in my career”. The star wants to fight for a title and was negotiated with Detroit in 2017, after seven full seasons with the Los Angeles Clippers. He signed a five-year, $ 171 million contract with the team in the off-season prior to his exchange. Detroit is currently looking to rebuild and develop younger talent under the command of first year manager, Troy Weaver.
Griffin returned from several surgeries and developed other parts of his game, but still struggles with his body. He hasn’t buried since December 2019, before undergoing surgery on his left knee.
Before the bench, Griffin averaged 12.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.9 assists for the Pistons. Throughout his career, he averaged 21.4 points, 8.7 rebounds and 4.4 percent. He is a 49.5 percent career sniper.
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