Pistons officially acquire Griffin in blockbuster deal with Clippers

It's official: Blake Griffin will now call the Motor City home.

The Los Angeles Clippers traded Griffin, Brice Johnson, and Willie Reed to the Detroit Pistons in exchange for Tobias Harris, Avery Bradley, Boban Marjanovic, a 2018 protected first-round pick, and a 2019 second-round pick, the Clippers announced.

"Blake is one of the best players to ever wear a Clippers jersey. We want to express our gratitude and respect for everything he has done for this team and the City of Los Angeles. This was a very difficult decision, but we ultimately felt it was appropriate for the franchise," Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank said in an official statement.

Related: 5 moments we'll remember from Griffin's tenure with Clippers

Griffin was taken first overall by the Clippers in 2009, and ends his tenure ranked second in franchise history in scoring, sixth in games, third in rebounds, and fifth in assists.

The five-time All-Star joins a Pistons squad that's lost eight in a row and is four games below the .500 mark at 22-26, sitting ninth seed in the Eastern Conference.

"We are serious about winning, and this is a major move to improve our team," Pistons owner Tom Gores said in a statement of his own. "Blake Griffin is one of the NBA's elite players, and when you get an opportunity to add that kind of talent, you take it."

Griffin is currently working under a new five-year contract worth approximately $173 million. He's averaging 22.6 points, 7.9 boards, and 5.4 assists through 33 appearances this season.