Insane athleticism, crazy dunks and one of the league’s brightest stars. Those are all things that come to mind when you hear the name Blake Griffin, but is that really the case anymore? 

The Detroit Pistons and Griffin have mutually agreed to part ways after consecutive losing seasons. On Monday, the Brooklyn Nets announced he will play out the rest of this season in the Barclays Center. Griffin was eager to join the team, stating his reason for signing as “they have the need for a four-man,” but can he really be that “four-man?”

Although the allure of bringing in a big name like Griffin makes you think of his glory days dunking over a Kia and putting up 24 points a night on 52% shooting, it is no secret he is not the player he once was. Griffin is now coming off the worst season of his career, averaging only 12.2 points per game on 36% from the field and 31% from three.  

The Nets without a doubt have the most talented trio in the league, as players James Harden and Kevin Durant are both Former NBA MVPs still playing at extremely high levels, while Kyrie Irving is one of the league’s best point guards. So what does bringing in a guy like Blake Griffin do for them?

To acquire James Harden, the Nets had to give up their young defensive minded center, Jarrett Allen, who averaged nearly two blocks a game and was the anchor of their defense, as well as promising young player Caris LeVert. Of course, these pieces were necessary in a trade for one of the league’s best, but the Larry O’Brien trophy is won by deep teams with a defensive identity, which are both areas the Nets currently struggle in as a result of the Harden trade.

While the former six-time All-Star can certainly provide depth to this championship caliber roster, Griffin is not the defensive player nor shooter they need to compliment their “big 3.”

It seems as if Nets GM Sean Marks was allured by Griffin’s “big name” instead of going after defensive minded role players who could provide scoring off the bench, such as Javale Mcgee or Reggie Bullock.

All in all, Griffin is inefficient from the three and simply not the defender he used to be, so his role on this team is definitely questionable. KD, Kyrie and Harden are averaging a combined 82 points a game, so they are not in need of a power forward who can only be successful with the ball in his hands. Although he may be a help providing 20-25 minutes a game, the idea that Griffin will fill the holes within this Nets team is outlandish considering he is not nearly the player he once was. Now the only question left is what other pieces will the Nets acquire by the NBA’s March 25 trade deadline to round out this championship caliber roster.