Celtics have been 'begging' six-time All-Star to return to team

During a recent appearance on Barstool Sports' "Pardon My Take" podcast, Boston Celtics guards Derrick White and Payton Pritchard said the team has been "begging" free-agent big man Blake Griffin to return to the team.

The six-time All-Star and former Rookie of the Year played 41 regular-season games with the Celtics last season, averaging career lows in points (4.1), rebounds (3.8), assists (1.5) and minutes per contest (13.9). 

Griffin only played in one of the team's 20 playoff tilts, suiting up for six minutes in Game 5 of the group's first-round series against the Atlanta Hawks.

Still, both Pritchard and White had high praise for the former No. 1 overall pick.

"We’ve begged him to. We’ve been begging him," the former said when asked about Griffin potentially playing in the NBA this season.

“I think the whole team has been begging him to come back to Boston," White added.

With arguably the deepest roster in the game, the Celtics might not have a spot for the longtime high-flying dunker for the Los Angeles Clippers.

Boston's current frontcourt includes Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, Luke Kornet and Neemias Queta. Porzingis and Horford average 29.6 and 27.1 minutes per game, respectively, while Kornet and Queta are on the floor for 14.8 and 12.3 minutes per contest, respectively.

Superstar forward Jayson Tatum also frequently lines up at the four.
Still, it doesn't seem like that won't stop Pritchard from trying to recruit Griffin for a return.

"I texted him actually like a week or two (ago) jokingly be like, ‘Coming back for one last ride?'," adding that he consistently talks with the veteran.

It was reported in October that Griffin was considering retirement.
Later during Monday's podcast episode, the former Oklahoma star confirmed that he and Pritchard are in regular communication.

“We talk quite a bit,” Griffin said. “I’m just enjoying life right now guys.”