Brooklyn Nets Add Blake Griffin to Boost Roster For NBA Title Run

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 30: Blake Griffin #23 of the Detroit Pistons looks to pass the … [+] ball against the Golden State Warriors during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on January 30, 2021 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

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The Brooklyn Nets have added six-time NBA All-Star Blake Griffin to boost their chances at the franchise’s first NBA championship, according to multiple reports.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported the Nets are using one of their veteran-minimum-contract slots to sign the 31-year-old Griffin, the No. 1 pick in the 2009 NBA Draft out of Oklahoma. ESPN reported Griffin cleared waivers on Sunday night after agreeing to a buyout of the remaining $56.5 million left on his contract with Detroit on Friday.

Griffin will reunite with his former Los Angeles Clippers teammate DeAndre Jordan.

“The buy-out market, that is one of the reasons we want to remain flexible in my eyes to see how we can improve our team,” Nets coach Steve Nash said recently. “Maybe there are some teams that are set but for us, especially with the roster changed after the big trade [for James Harden], we have to remain flexible in order to keep our options open.”

This is really a no-lose situation for the Nets. If Griffin, who averaged 2.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.9 assists in 20 games for Detroit this season, helps the Nets as a small-ball five, great. If he can’t contribute or somehow doesn’t fit in, they can always cut him loose.

Kevin Durant remains out with a hamstring injury , so Griffin can come in and play the four spot until Durant returns — whenever that is. When Durant comes back, Griffin will provide offensive punch off the bench.

Still, since the Nets have Harden, Durant, Kyrie Irving, Joe Harris and other offensive options, Griffin doesn’t have to be one of the top scoring options.

Due to injuries, Griffin hasn’t dunked in two years and is no longer the high-flying dunking phenom he was earlier in his career. He is still a solid offensive contributor and a 33 percent three-point shooter.

Griffin joins an increasingly diverse and deep frontcourt that includes Jordan, Durant, Bruce Brown, Jeff Green and Nic Claxton.

The Nets had also been linked to Cleveland Cavaliers big man Andre Drummond, a Mount Vernon, N.Y. native who is also heavily linked to the Knicks.