Blake Griffin Says Kevin Durant Was Nets' Biggest Recruiter After Pistons Buyout

Brooklyn Nets forward Blake Griffin told reporters that Kevin Durant was his biggest recruiter after the Detroit Pistons bought out the remainder of his contract and made him a free agent.

The buyout was made official last Friday, and the Nets announced his signing Monday.

Griffin is averaging 12.2 points and 5.2 rebounds per game this season. He is a six-time All-Star and five-time All-NBA team member.

Griffin previously spoke with Rich Eisen about a number of topics that included Nets players recruiting him when he was making his decision where to play.

"Well, not until the appropriate time, because of tampering [rules]," Griffin said when asked if Nets players reached out. "But yeah, I spoke to some of them."

The 6'9" forward will not be making his Nets debut when Brooklyn opens the second half of the season against the Boston Celtics on Thursday. He's listed on the Nets' injury report as being out with a left knee issue as part of injury management.

The 31-year-old told reporters that he is not injured but needs some time to increase his workload after being out since Feb. 12. The Pistons sat Griffin out from mid-February forward as the team worked on trade and buyout options.