Former NBA All-Star Blake Griffin has not played in the 2023-24 season, following his stint with the Boston Celtics in the previous campaign.
Last season, the 34-year-old participated in 41 games for the Celtics, playing under a one-year $2.91 million minimum contract. It was the biggest single-season pay cut in NBA history after he earned $32.3 million in 2021-22.
The power forward's regular-season averages included 4.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.5 assists while shooting 48.5 percent from the field and 34.8 percent from three-point range. However, Griffin saw limited action in the playoffs, appearing in only one game for less than six minutes and grabbing two rebounds.
Despite his limited on-court production, Griffin is fondly remembered by several of his Boston Celtics teammates, especially for his positive impact in the locker room.
Celtics point guards Derrick White and Payton Pritchard spoke warmly about the veteran big man during an appearance on Barstool Sports' Pardon My Take, uploaded on February 26.
When questioned about why the 2011 NBA Slam Dunk Contest winner isn't playing with the team this season, Pritchard and White acknowledged that the team's roster has actively attempted to bring him back to Boston.
"I don't know. We begged him to," Pritchard told the podcast.
"I think the whole team has been begging him to," White added.
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Did Blake Griffin accept Celtics players' plea?
During the team's West Coast trip in December, several teammates approached Griffin about the possibility of his return, and the Celtics' outreach has persisted in the subsequent weeks.
Pritchard said he jokingly texted him a week or two ago, asking, "Coming back for one last ride?"
However, the six-time NBA All-Star answered that he is enjoying his life away from basketball.
Meanwhile, Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla revealed that he spoke with Griffin during the 2023 offseason. He respected Griffin's priorities after emphasizing that family is the most important thing to him.
"I talked to him one or two times, I think when we were in LA, but when he told me at the end of last season that his family is the most important thing, I stopped talking to him about it because I know what it's like to be away from your kids and be away from your family. He's always gonna make the decision that's best for him," the 35-year-old tactician said.
Blake Griffin's family obstacle for Celtics reunion
In the summer of 2023, Bobby Manning of CLNS Media reported that the 2009 No. 1 overall pick was open to returning to the Celtics despite residing far away from his family.
He mentioned that there is a possibility for Griffin's return despite the distance from his family and his home on the West Coast.
However, Griffin seems to have opted to enjoy time with his family.
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