The Brooklyn Nets are widely considered the favorite to land power forward Blake Griffin, according to Shams Charania and James Edwards III of The Athletic.
Griffin, 31, agreed to a contract buyout with the Detroit Pistons on Friday after nearly a month of being held out. He now becomes an unrestricted free agent.
“Rival teams with interest are expecting Griffin to choose Nets as a title favorite for chance to win a championship,” Charania reported.
With Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden already on the roster, Griffin may eliminate the Nets’ need for a veteran inside presence. They have also been linked to Cleveland Cavaliers centers Andre Drummond and JaVale McGee in recent weeks. Drummond is currently awaiting a trade or buyout of his own.
Griffin is averaging a career-low 12.3 points and 5.2 rebounds in 20 games with the Pistons this season. Injuries have clearly robbed the six-time All-Star of some of his explosiveness, but there is little doubt he could still help a team with championship aspirations.
The Nets (24-13) currently own the second-best record in the Eastern Conference, just a half game behind the Philadelphia 76ers entering the All-Star break.
