One of the greatest basketball players in Oklahoma history is on the move in the NBA as six-time all-star Blake Griffin has cleared waivers and will sign with the Brooklyn Nets, per The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
Originally selected No. 1 overall in the 2009 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Clippers, Griffin spent his first eight professional seasons in Los Angles before being dealt to the Detroit Pistons in January of 2018. Earlier this month, his contract was bought out by the Pistons leaving him free to sign with anyone in the league, with most expecting him to join a contender.
That is precisely what he has done here, as he joins a Nets team that is absolutely loaded with stars and is among the favorites to win the title this summer. At 24-13, they currently sit in second place in the Eastern Conference and are just 1/2 game behind the Philadelphia 76ers for the top spot.
Blake Griffin has cleared free agency waivers and the six-time NBA All-Star is expected to sign with the Brooklyn Nets, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 7, 2021
Griffin has had a prolific career but has battled lots of injuries over his NBA tenure. If he can remain healthy, he will surely be a key piece to what Brooklyn wants to do the rest of the season as they try to win a championship. This will certainly be the first time in his career that he will be this low on the star totem pole, as the Nets already provide an incredible trio of talent with Kevin Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving.
Perhaps a team with the ability to take some pressure and necessary workload off of him is just what Griffin needs to break through for that elusive deep postseason run. One thing for certain is that it will be fascinating to watch play out.
Currently on the all-star break, Brooklyn will take the floor next on Thursday night at 6:30 p.m. CT at home against the Boston Celtics.
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