Detroit Pistons News: Is star forward Blake Griffin the next to go?

After a flurry of moves, what’s next for the Detroit Pistons?  Better yet, what is next for star forward Blake Griffin?

Ron Rivera earned himself the name ‘Riverboat Ron’ for his fearlessness of going for it on fourth and short at midfield, usually using the former league MVP Cam Newton as a battering ram to get the first down.  I’ve decided to use the same term, ignoring the fact that it doesn’t rhyme, with Detroit Pistons general manager Troy Weaver.

Riverboat Troy began free agency with a bang; well, he started his tenure as Detroit Pistons GM with a bang when you get right down to it.  When you begin to sift your way through this current Pistons roster, not much has remained the same from just a couple of weeks ago.

Rather than letting some of the current contracts play themselves out, being quiet in free agency for a year, it’s been the exact opposite in Detroit.  Weaver has seemed to trade everyone, almost as though he’s got NBA 2K21 fired up in the den trying to see how many trades he can get approved in the least amount of time possible.

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It’s been out with the old and in with the new.  The Pistons have moved on from just about everyone from last year, making Blake Griffin the teams’ longest-tenured player; imagine that.

So what now?  Is Griffin packing his bags?

The Detroit Pistons completed a sign and trade with Houston for the surging Christian Wood.  On paper, Wood will be included in the deal that sent Trevor Ariza and the 16th overall pick to the Pistons prior to Wednesday’s draft.  Wood signed a three-year $41-million contract, a bit rich for Detroit’s liking, but I’m sad to see him go.

Could the same type of deal be on the horizon for Griffin?  The money lines up perfectly to do a similar sign and trade deal with the Denver Nuggets.  The Pistons added center Mason Plumlee and forward Jerami Grant, both formally of Denver, for the same amount of money Griffin earns.  Is it possible the Pistons will send their superstar to the contending Nuggets on another sign and trade?

It seems logical, although Yahoo Sports expert Keith Smith feels it would be unlikely.

Blake Griffin has two years remaining on the lucrative deal that pays him upwards of $36 million and $39 million against the cap over the next couple of seasons.

After coming off of a career year in Detroit, averaging 24.5 points per game two seasons ago, Griffin was limited to just 18 games last season and limped his way to 15.5 points per game.  The often injured Griffin would fit nicely somewhere that his minutes could be managed, preferably with a title contender.

In the past, I’ve called this Griffin contract impossible to move.  I viewed Prince Fielder’s deal with the Detroit Tigers the same way.  At this point, nothing will shock me, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Riverboat Troy finds a new home for the Pistons star.