Philadelphia 76ers: Blake Griffin is a buyout candidate

There’s little doubt that the Philadelphia 76ers will be keeping an eye on the buyout market this season. The Sixers still have holes in their roster and there’s one former All-Star that the franchise has a legit shot at acquiring.

According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the Detroit Pistons and Blake Griffin have mutually decided that he would be out of the lineup until they can either trade or buy him out. Based on the fact that Griffin is set to make $36.6 million this year and has a player option for about $39 million, a buyout seems much more likely.

Assuming that Griffin is eventually bought out, he could become a vital role player for a contender. Interestingly enough, the 76ers are a contender with a hole on the power forward depth chart. Griffin could definitely be a key piece for the Sixers to possibly make the NBA Finals.

Why Griffin makes sense for the Philadelphia 76ers.

More from The Sixer Sense

To be clear, Griffin is no longer the six-time All-Star and five-time All-NBA player he once was. Injuries are a major reason why his production has dropped dramatically over the past two seasons. This season, he’s averaging 12.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.9 assists, while shooting 36.5 percent from the floor and 31.5 percent from the 3-point line.

On the surface, those are not encouraging stats and he might not be worth the risk for the Sixers. However, what he has done in his career makes him worth a minimum contract if not the mid-level exception.

Instead of being a high flyer like he was during his prime, Griffin has become more of a facilitator and 3-point threat. Just two years ago, Griffin shot 36.2 percent from downtown, so there’s the potential wherein the right settings, he could be a threat stretching the floor. The 76ers can afford him the opportunity to be in a situation where he could be a stretch big off the bench with plenty of space.

Obviously, the biggest issue that bringing Griffin would be the fractured relationship between Griffin and his former head coach/current Philadelphia head coach Doc Rivers. The issue for those two came when Rivers unceremoniously trade the All-Star not too long after Griffin committed five years to the Los Angeles Clippers.

However, if the two men can resolve past hurts, then the match makes sense for both sides. Rivers knows about Griffin’s other skills and knows how to utilize them. Griffin gets to be the first big man off the bench and can play either power forward or center at this point in his career. Griffin would easily be the best big man off the bench for the Sixers if he signed here.

Next. Player Rankings: Chemistry grows during trying times. dark

Griffin is an interesting buyout candidate for the Philadelphia 76ers if he can secure that from the Pistons. He fills the hole as a big man who can playmaker and stretches the floor coming off the bench for the Sixers.