The biggest question confronting Troy Weaver upon his arrival in Detroit has yet to be answered several months later: What to do with Blake Griffin?
"He's definitely in our plans going forward," Weaver said during his introductory press conference as Pistons GM.
For now, Griffin remains on the team. The hope is that he can stay healthy this season and perhaps rebuild some of his trade value as Weaver continues to turn over Detroit's roster.
Turns out, the Pistons looked into unloading Griffin this offseason. According to ESPN's Zach Lowe, the team recently made an "exploratory call" to the Wizards about swapping Griffin for John Wall, but "the conversation led nowhere."
For Weaver, it would have been a means toward acquiring more draft capital.
Detroit's real level of interest in that deal is unclear; they value Griffin, and the conversation led nowhere, sources said. Tommy Sheppard, Washington's GM, said this week he has no plans to trade Wall. The extra year on Wall's deal suggests Detroit probably would ask for draft assets in any such swap.
Griffin, 31, is owed $36.5 million this season with a $39 million player option for next season. Wall, 30, is owed $41 million this season and $44 million next season with a $47 million player option for 2022-23.
A five-time All-Star, Wall hasn't played a game since December of 2018 due to a ruptured Achilles. Like Griffin, injuries have plagued him throughout his career.
Clearly, this particular trade isn't going to come to fruition. But the fact that Weaver made the call is a sign that Griffin, at some point, will likely be on the move.
