Report: Blake Griffin returned $13.3M in his buyout with Pistons

Blake Griffin gave back $13.3M in his buyout with the Pistons, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.

The buyout agreement was officially announced Friday afternoon by the team, and the former All-Star forward has been placed on waivers. He’s expected to clear waivers on Sunday, and the Nets have emerged as the front-runner to sign him, Charania adds.

Griffin hasn’t played since February 12 by mutual agreement with the front office. GM Troy Weaver found it impossible to deal Griffin due to the guaranteed money remaining on his contract. The Pistons took a $36.8M cap hit this season with Griffin possessing a $38.96M option for next season, the final year of his contract.

According to The Athletic’s James Edwards III, the Pistons have chosen not to utilize the stretch provision for the money owed to Griffin. They’d rather take the cap hit next season than hamper their future cap flexibility.

Weaver has already used the five-year stretch provision on offseason acquisition Dewayne Dedmon and a three-year provision on Zhaire Smith.