The Detroit Pistons, who are now 11th in the Eastern Conference, will now have to risk not having their star player for a long time.
According to Yahoo Sports’ Chris Haynes, Blake Griffin is considering season-ending surgery on his left knee. He will meet with a specialist in Los Angeles within this week to go over his options.
Griffin, 30, had arthroscopic surgery on his knee in April following Detroit’s postseason exit against the Milwaukee Bucks. However, the knee injury has continued to take a toll on the power forward. He has missed the first 10 games of the season, as well as seven of the previous 11 games. With their best player not on the floor, the Pistons have struggled to build upon their success they created last season, as their future as a franchise is now in jeopardy.
Yahoo Sources: Detroit Pistons star Blake Griffin to visit specialist in Los Angeles, considering season-ending knee surgery. https://t.co/2NkDgTtP60 pic.twitter.com/VlGKC5WOdE
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) January 6, 2020
Report: Detroit Pistons’ Blake Griffin Considering Season-Ending Surgery
Blake Griffin’s Future In Question
Injuries have been an ongoing issue for Blake Griffin since the beginning of his rookie season. He has dealt with numerous injuries from a sprained MCL, knee contusions in both of his knees, and now multiple sprains and tears in his knees.
The first season that Griffin arrived in Detroit, he played the best that he’s ever played in his career. He averaged 25 points (career-high), 8 rebounds, and 5 assists while shooting 46 percent from the field. Griffin displayed the leadership necessary to lead the Pistons to the post-season for the first time since the 2015-16 season. Even when he aggravated his knee during the playoffs against the Bucks, he still managed to give it all to help Detroit try to achieve a victory.
After undergoing arthroscopic surgery back in April, things seemed to get worse. Griffin has not played a game since December 28th and his knee injury is negatively affecting his production. He is averaging a career-low 15.5 points and is shooting a career worse 35.2 percent from the field (24 percent from three-point range).
How Blake Griffin’s Surgery Affects the Detroit Pistons’ Future
The Pistons are now 13-24 on the season, three-games below .500. Not having Griffin for the remainder of the season surely impacts their chances to improve, but it also impacts their future going into the off-season.
Griffin has two remaining years on his contract after the 2019-20 season and is owed $75 million. Andre Drummond, however, will be a free agent this season; he is already rumored to be traded as soon as February’s trade deadline. Griffin’s unavailability could be a factor in a Drummond trade. It could also be a factor in how the Pistons will look for the next few seasons. While the Pistons season seemed to be over before Griffin considered surgery, the franchise will now have to look over everything, from Griffin’s future to the future of the team.
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