LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Five-time All-Star Blake Griffin admitted he was “shocked” to be traded by the Los Angeles Clippers, but says he’s perfectly happy to have landed with the Detroit Pistons.
“Shocked is a good way to put it,” Griffin said Wednesday as he was officially introduced by the Pistons.
“I didn’t know anything. I pretty much found out when everybody else found out. It took me a second to realize everything’s changing… I want to hit the ground running.”
The 28-year-old power forward, who had spent all eight of his NBA seasons with the Clippers, was acquired on Monday for Tobias Harris, Avery Bradley, Boban Marjanovic, a first-round and a second-round draft pick.
Griffin was in the first year of a five-year contract worth $173 million with the Clippers. He said he didn’t regret insisting on a no-trade clause in the deal.
“No, I want to play for an organization that wants me to play for them,” Griffin said. “Clearly this is an organization that wants me to play here. This is where I want to be.”
Griffin was looking forward to playing with Detroit’s All-Star center Andre Drummond.
“He’s a well deserved all-star, a monster,” Griffin said. “I played with DeAndre Jordan and he’s bigger, more physical. I am excited about that growth and helping him.”
Griffin, the 2009 first overall pick in the NBA draft, is averaging 22.6 points, 7.9 rebounds and 5.4 assists in 33 games this season.
© Agence France-Presse