2018

Blake Griffin is traded from the Clippers to the Pistons in exchange for Avery Bradley, Tobias Harris, Boban Marjanovic, a first round pick, and a second round pick. Griffin had played seven-and-a-half seasons with Los Angeles, making five All-Star teams but also struggling regularly with injuries.

1955

Greg Ballard is born in Los Angeles, California. In addition to starring on the basketball team at Garey High School, he was also a baseball standout and was drafted by the Montreal Expos at age 18.

1967

Three-time NBA champion Stacey King is born in Lawton, Oklahoma.

1983

Kelly Tripucka sets the Pistons single game franchise record with 56 points in a 128-126 victory over the Bulls. The record had previously been held by Dave Bing since 1971 and would stand for over 18 years before getting broken by Jerry Stackhouse.

1984

Magic Johnson breaks his own single All-Star Game record (set just one year prior) with 22 assists but MVP Isiah Thomas leads the Eastern Conference to a 154-145 overtime victory over the West in Denver. Johnson’s record still stands, as of 2025.

1985

Marc Gasol is born in Barcelona, Spain. As a teenager, he moved to the Memphis area with his family while his older brother Pau was playing for the Grizzlies.

1992

Maxi Kleber is born in Wurzburg, Germany. His pro debut at age 19 came with the Wurzburg Baskets, a Bundesliga squad in his hometown.

Michael Jordan informs the NBA and Players Association that as part of his new contract with Nike, he is pulling out of the league’s licensing agreement. The NBA is no longer allowed to sell merchandise with Jordan’s name or image, including video games.

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