The NBA community mourned the loss of Bill Walton on May 27, 2024, a 2x All-Star and 2x NBA champion who led the Portland Trail Blazers to their only NBA championship in 1977. His blend of skill and charisma made him a beloved figure in the NBA. On June 12, 2024, another legend, Jerry West, passed away at 86. West was a basketball icon and a successful executive, winning eight championships and two Executive of the Year awards. His influence extended to many teams, including the Detroit Pistons.
On June 14, 2017, a significant event unfolded in the NBA. After a successful stint with the Golden State Warriors, Jerry West joined the Clippers as an executive board member and consultant. This move was about the Clippers and had a ripple effect, indirectly impacting the Pistons.
How Jerry West Helped Shape The Current Day Detroit Pistons
A month after West joined, the Clippers re-signed Blake Griffin to a 5-year, 173 million-dollar contract. Despite Griffin’s popularity and performance, the team’s core of Griffin, Chris Paul, and DeAndre Jordan had peaked. The Clippers began rebuilding after trading Paul after the 16-17 season, making Griffin’s re-signing perplexing. Griffin’s injuries and a mediocre season highlighted the mistake, making his hefty contract challenging to trade.
The Trade Jerry West Influenced To The Pistons
In the 2017-18 season, the Pistons moved to the newly-built Little Caesars Arena. They desperately needed a star to draw fans. The Clippers, eager to offload Griffin, found a match in the Pistons. On January 29, 2018, the Pistons traded Avery Bradley, Tobias Harris, Boban Marjanović, and future picks to the Clippers for Griffin, Willie Reed, and Brice Johnson.
Griffin earned All-NBA Third Team honors and an All-Star spot, but the Pistons remained mediocre and faced salary constraints. Griffin played only 28 more games before being bought out. The first-round pick traded became Miles Bridges, later swapped for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
The Clippers transitioned from the “Lob City” era, finishing with a 42-40 record and adopting a team-oriented philosophy. They later traded for Paul George and signed Kawhi Leonard, becoming a formidable team but facing postseason challenges due to injuries.
The Aftermath Of The Jerry West Influence On Both Teams
The Pistons, still reeling from the Griffin trade, haven’t won over 25 games since the 2018-19 season. They set an NBA record with 28 consecutive losses last year, finishing 14-68. Troy Weaver, brought in to rebuild, acquired talents like Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey, but the team struggled. Owner Tom Gores hired Trajan Langdon as President of Basketball Operations, who fired Weaver and revamped the front office.
The Clippers continue to face postseason struggles despite acquiring James Harden and boasting a solid but aging roster. However, as they prepare to move to a new stadium, the Clippers are poised to “run it back” again, banking on renewed vigor and determination.
The Last Word
Pistons and Clippers’ divergent paths highlight NBA management and player dynamics. The Pistons, still grappling with the aftermath of the Blake Griffin trade, have struggled to regain their footing despite infusing young talent into their roster. The Clippers, while managing to rebuild and stay competitive in the regular season, face ongoing challenges with postseason performance due to injuries and the age of their key players. As both teams navigate their respective futures, the legacies of figures like Jerry West remind us of the profound and lasting impact that visionary leadership can have on shaping the fortunes of an NBA franchise.
While the Pistons strive to emerge from their current slump, the Clippers prepare for another push with their aging but capable roster, hoping to achieve the postseason success that has eluded them.
Jerry West May 28, 1936 – June 12, 2024
