Seven months after the Los Angeles Clippers made a big pitch to Blake Griffin about being a "lifelong Clipper," whose #32 would one day hang in the rafters at Staples Center, the team decided to trade him to the Detroit Pistons.
Griffin, who had signed a five-year, $173 million contract last summer, wasn't the only one who was shocked by the news.
Shortly after word got out that the Clippers had agreed to send Griffin (as well as Willie Reed and Brice Johnson) to the Pistons in exchange for Tobias Harris, Avery Bradley, Boban Marjanovic and a first- and second-round draft pick, Blake took to twitter to share his initial reaction - a Fresh Prince gif.
https://twitter.com/_/status/958129678677454848
Today, after taking time to "digest and reflect on what happened," Blake released a more formal statement in which he explained how proud he was to be part of the Clippers organization for seven seasons. One of Griffin's teammates during that seven-year stretch, Matt Barnes, was less accepting of the blockbuster trade.
Barnes took to instagram last night to not only question the Clippers' decision to trade the five-time All-Star forward, but also to blast head coach Doc Rivers, who he says everyone knows, "IS THE PROBLEM."
"So you trade this guy after paying him this much money..? 🤔 When everyone in the organization & everyone who’s played there knows DOC IS THE PROBLEM!!! Smfh cold game! Make sure you pack a jacket BG!!! Love Bro"
https://www.instagram.com/p/BejeFwoFPHI
