What happened: In 2017, the Clippers presented Blake Griffin as a long-term franchise cornerstone and staged a mock jersey retirement during free-agency talks. Los Angeles then traded him to the Detroit Pistons before the 2018 deadline, roughly seven months after he re-signed.
Why it matters: The episode underscored how quickly emotional promises can yield to roster strategy and contract risk. Griffin averaged 22.6 points, 7.9 rebounds and 5.4 assists in 33 games before the trade.
By the numbers: Griffin had spent his first eight seasons with the Clippers.
What to watch: The episode remains a notable case study in the gap between franchise messaging and NBA roster decisions.