After a couple of questions about the victory over the New York Knicks on Friday night, the topic turned to the news generated by the Pistons this week.
A reporter asked star Blake Griffin to address the front office jettisoning two rotation players for two prospects and a 2021 second-round pick before Thursday's NBA trade deadline.
The Pistons (25-29) are a half-game behind the Miami Heat for the Eastern Conference's eighth and final playoff spot.
They are 2 { games behind the sixth-place Brooklyn Nets with 28 games remaining.
With Griffin, 29, playing well enough to earn a berth in the All-Star Game later this month, the front office did give thought to bring in more immediate help.
It decided to add two young pieces, guard Svi Mykhailiuk and big man Thon Maker, and start addressing the bloated salary cap situation left behind by former team president Stan Van Gundy.
Griffin gave his OK.
"As players, you got to trust the front office," Griffin said after scoring 26 points against the Knicks.
"They know what they're doing. Obviously, we miss (Reggie Bullock and Stanley Johnson) a lot, we wish them best, but you hope to get some guys that will come in right away and help out and I think we got that in Thon and Svi.
"You just got to keep going. It happens in basketball."
Griffin's comments are reflective of his teammates, who understand the business of basketball. Bullock and Johnson, both obtained in the 2015 offseason, are well-liked by Pistons teammates.
But the business of getting a playoff spot will continue.
.jpg?w=600)
