NBA Trade Rumors: Clippers Could Trade Blake Griffin To One Of These Eastern Conference Teams
One of the hottest NBA trade rumors going around right now is that of Blake Griffin being dealt away from the LA Clippers. Some think he will remain in the Western Conference, and there are a number of teams that could trade for him. There is the possibility that things could go in another direction if Griffin ends up traded, and he could go to the one of these teams in the Eastern Conference.
After the incident in which Griffin broke a bone in his hand due to punching a Clippers’ equipment manager, he is now out at least another two months. He’s been out already about two months due to other injuries and was close to returning, but now won’t get the chance just yet.
The NBA trade deadline is on Feb. 18, and the Clippers may look to move him before then, so he might have already played his last game in red, white, and blue. Christian Post thinks that some viable options are trading Griffin away to the San Antonio Spurs or the New Orleans Pelicans.
In the Western Conference, a number of teams could benefit from having Blake Griffin land on their roster. Over in the Eastern Conference though, a few teams could actually be more believable in getting the deal pulled off.
- Clippers get Kevin Love from Cavs
- Trail Blazers get Blake Griffin from Clippers
- Cavaliers get CJ McCollum from Trail Blazers
This would save the Cavaliers about $20 million in salary and around $50 million in luxury tax while the Blazers may have to give up a draft pick to snag Griffin. It actually works out for everyone and every team involved.
A straight swap between the Cavaliers and Clippers involving Love and Griffin respectively has also been thrown around.
The Chicago Bulls have been the subject of a lot of trade rumors this season with Derrick Rose and what may happen with him. Now, if they get into talks with the Clippers for Griffin, then keeping Rose makes a lot of sense.
Fansided suggests a trade that sends Griffin and Luc Richard Mbah A Moute to the Bulls in exchange for Pau Gasol, Mike Dunleavy, and Nikola Mirotic. Honestly, this will help the Bulls talent wise and give the Clippers some expiring contracts and more trade bait.
Anthony has been attached to rumors that the Miami Heat would look to get him away from the Knicks as well. SB Nation sees a trade possibility that would have Griffin down to South Florida in exchange for Chris Bosh heading out to the LA Clippers.
This would help the Heat tremendously as they would now get that big player to work in conjunction with Dwyane Wade. Yes, Bosh is a good player, but getting the explosiveness of Griffin would give them that step up that they lost when LeBron James left.
One final thought and rumor is that Blake Griffin could end up being traded to the Boston Celtics along with Mbah A Moute for Jae Crwoder, Jared Sullinger, Avery Bradley, and one or two draft picks. Some variations of that trade have been tossed around as well.
Fansided believes that this is a trade that the Celtics should just flat-out refuse. Even though the Clippers have a good record, they are doing it without Griffin on the floor. The Celtics aren’t doing too bad either with 27-22 record and currently at sixth in the East. They may think that Griffin is more trouble than he’s worth and just reject a trade proposal if one comes their way.
Blake Griffin is currently the subject of about 12 different trade possibilities right now, and the LA Clippers haven’t even said that they’re officially shopping him yet. It does seem as if things are headed in that direction though, and there’s a good chance he’ll land in the Eastern Conference.
[Image by Harry How/Getty Images]
