Originally Posted by
new city champ
But it is something. Whether you agree with J.J.'s position or not, he's a respected veteran with a lot of cache around the league, including on the Pels. You absolutely don't want him bad mouthing our front office, flat out saying Griffin lied to him. Don't kid yourself. That effects the organization's reputation among players, among agents, among fans and commentators. I don't think the Pels can just let this sit and marinate. They have to push back.
I wouldn't be surprised if the truth is somewhere in between. Griffin thought he was telling Redick they'd try to get him to his preferred destinations--and they did try, but the well was dry in part because all those teams expected Redick to get bought out. In trying to get J.J. a deal and working with his agent, I'd wager Griffin thought he did honor his word to Redick.
Redick sounds like he thought had a black-and-white deal with Griffin: I'll be traded to one of my preferred teams or I'll get bought out. Period. That would be an unusual guarantee to give a player, but J.J. did have seniority and a good relationship with the front office (plus the Duke connection with Trajan). Griffin got real assets in the Redick deal and that's generally job and responsibility to the club.
Still, on balance, I think would have given J.J. the buyout or at least talked to him before the deal got announced. The reputation hit is real. And I wouldn't brush it off.