Published on : Modified :
–
Los Angeles (AFP)
Winger Blake Griffin, released from his contract by the Detroit Pistons last week, has signed a season-end contract with Brooklyn, the Nets announced on Monday.
“We are fortunate to be able to add a player of Blake’s caliber to our squad at this point in the season,” said club general manager Sean Marks. “Blake is a versatile player, we are excited to see the impact he will have on and off the court in Brooklyn.”
Griffin, 31, six times selected for the All-Star Game, joins an already well-starred Nets squad with the “Big 3” Kevin Durant / James Harden / Kyrie Irving and who finished strong the first part of the regular season by winning nine of his last ten matches, to come second in the Eastern Conference.
He agreed to put aside the $ 13.3 million salary owed by the Pistons to gain his contractual freedom, ESPN claims.
“If he’s given up on making more money by staying in Detroit, it’s because he wants to win. He wants to have the opportunity to play more interesting minutes. I guess that’s one of the reasons for it. which he came … He can make a big contribution to this team, “said Harden on the Nets site.
Arriving in 2017 in Detroit, Griffin had compiled 24.5 points and 5.4 assists in his second season. But a series of injuries then plagued him and he only played 18 games in the next one.
This season, seeming finally rid of his physical glitches, he played 20 games with the Pistons for 12.3 points and 5.2 rebounds on average. However, he is no longer the explosive and spectacular player who attacked circles, his game having become more altruistic, with a tendency to shoot at longer distance.
Drafted in 2011 by the Los Angeles Clippers, he has never, in his career, managed to pass the conference semifinals.
© 2021 AFP
–
