The Detroit Pistons will be welcoming Blake Griffin to the franchise following Monday’s trade, but there may be one hurdle.
Griffin wore jersey number 32 his entire career with the Los Angeles Clippers. Richard Hamilton, who wore jersey number 32 during his career with the Pistons, just had his jersey retired by the team last year.
Problem?
Hamilton led the Pistons in scoring eight seasons and helped the team win a championship. He certainly earned his jersey retirement from the team.
Had Griffin already been on the team and wearing No. 32 before the retirement, the team likely would have let him keep wearing it and then not give it to anyone else. But since he’s coming to the team with the jersey already retired, some sort of deal will probably need to be worked out if Griffin wants to continue wearing the number.
He’s not the only one who has an issue. Brice Johnson wore number 11 with the Clippers, but that was Isiah Thomas’ number and has been retired by the Pistons. He’s not the superstar that Griffin is, so he’ll almost certainly have to change numbers.
Our guess is Griffin and the Pistons work out a deal for him to continue wearing 32 if that’s what he wants to do. But things could get complicated if Rip decides to pull a Paul Pierce.
UPDATE: Griffin chose to wear his college number, 23, and his jersey is a hot item among fans.
