Nets: BK must steer clear of Blake Griffin trade rumors

The Nets better not think about trading for Pistons star Blake Griffin.

Nobody really knows what Brooklyn Nets general manager Sean Marks’ plans are for the offseason. After all, he stunned the fanbase when news broke that he’d appointed Steve Nash as the team’s new head coach.

That hire just proved that Marks is as fearless as any executive in the league, and that undoubtedly bodes well for the Nets, who have become a popular free agent destination after previously being an epicenter for veterans in the twilight of their respective careers (thanks, Boston).

However, as much as we admire Marks’ unpredictability and willingness to make a big splash, we would strongly advise against him trading for a third star just for the sake of doing so. Not every player in the NBA is capable of meshing in an offense led by Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, so the 45-year-old GM needs to tread lightly during potential negotiations.

For example, trading for a sharpshooter and shot creator like Bradley Beal is a move we can get on board with. Giving up assets and likely draft picks for an offensive blackhole like Blake Griffin, on the other hand, would be an unmitigated disaster.

There would simply be no need to add Griffin to this roster other than his box office appeal. For a player who was created in a lab to dominate in the post, the six-time All-Star spends an awful lot of time on the perimeter and in isolation. While we love that he’s added this dimension to his game after being predominantly viewed as a high-flyer coming out of college, he has FAR too much confidence in it. Look no further than his career 33.3% 3-point percentage.

As evidenced during his stint with the Los Angeles Clippers (2010-2017) — across which he averaged 21.6 points, 9.3 rebounds and 4.2 assists on 51.2% shooting — Griffin’s stat lines, as imposing as they are, have been empty.

His style of play just doesn’t correlate to winning basketball, especially in the playoffs. While being the primary scorer during the famed “Lob City” era, the Clippers never advanced beyond the second round of the playoffs. That stretch included a whopping three first-round exits.

That’s inexplicable considering how much talent those teams had, and unfortunately for Griffin, that’s an indictment on him.

If we had to choose between trading for a 31-year-old vet who has a ton of mileage (and knee surgeries) on his legs or keeping the likes of Caris LeVert, Spencer Dinwiddie and Jarrett Allen around, we’d side with the latter 100 times out of 100 with no hesitation.

The Nets would be out of their minds to consider a trade for Griffin. Again, we’re not trying to take anything away from his individual accolades, but we want no part of him in Brooklyn.