Blake Griffin is pro-player.

When asked about reports of New Orleans Pelicans superstar Anthony Davis requesting a trade, Griffin was clear:

NBA players ultimately must consider their best interests.

“The player has to do what's best for him, and not worry about the backlash,” the Detroit Pistons star said Monday. “It's going to happen, and you can't really control it. Teams are able to do whatever they want, and they don't get backlash unless they don't do it the right way.”

If you are a fan of Griffin or the Pistons, don’t panic. Later in the media scrum following Monday’s practice, Griffin called the Pistons organization “home.”

By all accounts, Griffin, who is having one of the best seasons of his career, is committed to seeing it through with the Pistons, and wants to make it work —Tuesday is the anniversary of the trade that brought him here.

But will that always be the case?

Griffin, 29, likely is aware of his NBA mortality after several injury-marred seasons.

It's a given players want to play for franchises contending for championships — which isn’t the current state of the Pistons, who haven’t won a playoff game since 2008.

The Pistons organization is motivated to figure out how to maximize Griffin’s window.

The Davis news should increase urgency.

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Griffin knows the score

We can look at the Davis news through the lens of Griffin’s experience with the Los Angeles Clippers.

When the free agency period opened in the offseason of 2017, the Clippers made every effort to woo Griffin to re-sign with the franchise that drafted him in 2009. There were many reported bells and whistles, including a fake jersey retirement and Clippers owner Steve Ballmer calling Griffin a "Clipper for life."

No one should feel sorry for Griffin, who re-signed for five years, $171 million. But he was blindsided seven months later with the blockbuster trade to the Pistons.

Griffin has spoken many times about his feelings.

On Monday, he referenced how reportedly the Toronto Raptors promised DeMar DeRozan he wouldn’t be traded — just before DeRozan was dealt to the San Antonio Spurs for Kawhi Leonard last offseason.

When you consider Griffin and DeRozan’s circumstances, why should players ever be governed by loyalty?

“You can talk about back in the day all you want, but back in the day is not today,” Griffin said. “The NBA isn't structured the same way, contracts aren't structured the same way, teams aren't structured the same way, so you can't expect players to keep doing the same thing.

“It's such an outdated view on life. I get the whole loyalty thing, but at the same time, you have to do what's best for your family, best for you, and a lot of the times, sometimes, those things don't align.”

Satisfied with the situation — for now

It was a perfect storm.

Griffin, speaking with a Fox Sports Detroit reporter, was being critical of the Pistons’ lack of focus in the closing moments of a close win at New Orleans last week.

Point guard Reggie Jackson, coming off his best game in weeks, was so happy he interrupted the interview to goof around.

Griffin looked momentarily irritated before smiling to acknowledge Jackson.

[ Shawn Windsor: Blake Griffin tired of Pistons' lack of focus. He should be ]

Some pundits took the opportunity to read Griffin’s mind and say it was indicative of Griffin wanting out of Detroit.

The Pistons (21-27) have struggled since a 13-7 start, and sit 2½ games behind the Charlotte Hornets for the Eastern Conference’s eighth and final playoff spot.

The team struggles with decision-making, wasting an amazing season from Griffin that will likely earn a berth in February's NBA All-Star Game. That decision comes Thursday.

With the Feb. 7 trade deadline approaching, the Pistons are likely hamstrung with bad contracts and too few assets to make a major splash. (Stop dreaming of Davis scenarios.)

But after next season, many of the bad deals come off the books.

A source told the Free Press over the weekend that Griffin and his representatives are aware of the Pistons’ current limitations in roster building and are expressing patience.

The offseason could represent a time for major roster reconstruction around Griffin.

But for now, the timing isn’t there for a Griffin trade.

Davis has leverage because he has informed the Pelicans he won’t sign a contract extension this offseason with only one year left on his deal.

Griffin will reach a similar juncture at next year’s trade deadline, although he has a nearly $39 million player option scheduled for the 2021-22 season when he will be 32. If the Pistons aren't in contention by then, he could leave the money on the table and try to chase a winner.

Or he could decide enough is enough before that date.

Some local voices are saying the Pistons should dump Griffin for whatever they can get to implement a full-blown tank of the season.

Remember the Pistons have been trying to obtain a talent like Griffin since the days before owner Tom Gores bought the team in 2011.

A tank isn't happening.

In the meantime, the clock is ticking.

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