Blake Griffin clears waivers, is expected to sign with Brooklyn

It cost him a cool $13 million, but Blake Griffin is now officially a free agent.

Griffin cleared waivers on Sunday afternoon after being bought out by the Pistons (taking a $13 million haircut in the process) and is now free to sign with any team he chooses — and he’s expected to choose the Brooklyn Nets. That has been reported before and confirmed on Sunday by Shams Charania of The Athletic.

Other contenders, including the Lakers, Heat, and Bucks, had interest in signing Griffin, but he has leaned toward Brooklyn from the start.

Griffin is showing his age (32) and has not had a consistent jumper in Detroit this season — he’s shooting 31.5% on threes and less than 20% from 10 feet out to the arc. Those numbers may go up as he will get more open looks in the Nets, plus he will keep the ball moving on offense and provide important depth.

Brooklyn will likely sign Griffin for more than the minimum, either offering the taxpayer midlevel exception ($5.7 million, prorated for the rest of the season) or a slightly larger disabled-player exception from losing Spencer Dinwiddie likely for the season.

More than money, the Nets can offer a meaningful role off the bench on a title contender. Brooklyn starts Kevin Durant at the four (when he’s healthy), but behind him there are minutes available on a second unit with Jeff Green. Griffin also reunites with former Clippers’ teammate DeAndre Jordan.

Expect that signing to become official in the coming days.

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Blake Griffin clears waivers, is expected to sign with Brooklyn originally appeared on NBCSports.com