Earlier in January, CBSSports.com reported the Los Angeles Clippers and the New York Knicks had discussed a player swap involving Blake Griffin and Carmelo Anthony. While at first glance the move seemed crazy, it was supported by the reasoning that Anthony wanted to team-up with Chris Paul via free agency, so the Knicks would opt to trade him instead. Both teams denied the discussions and now the Clippers are denying the idea Griffin will be traded no matter who the team gets in return.
The Clippers are in a win-now mode and many analysts around the league view Griffin and DeAndre Jordan as a bad fit on the court. No matter, head coach Doc Rivers called the idea of a trade "stupid" despite both players not being huge scoring threats outside the paint. However, Bleacher Report's Ric Bucher is reporting that owner Donald Sterling refuses to make any moves regarding Griffin no matter if it helps the team's championship hopes or not.
Bucher reports that one NBA executive notes that Sterling will not do anything with Blake because he is afraid of screwing up a trade. The owner believes in dunks and star power over spacing on the floor. Griffin is improving on his jump shot which is up to 41.2, but he still is not a long-range threat, something Los Angeles could really use after injuries.
According to sources, Paul wishes Griffin was more of a triple-threat big man rather than someone that can only shoot inside five feet. Bucher notes that Paul would like Griffin to develop into a player much like Indiana's David West who excels in points, rebounds and blocked shots. Paul and West worked very well in New Orleans and Griffin still has a ways to go before he develops into that player.
SBNation.com proposes a strong argument noting that Griffin is not the player keeping the Clippers back from a title this season. Even if he was, the Clippers are not expected to be heavily active in the NBA trade deadline. Griffin is locked in for three more seasons and Los Angeles intends to hold onto him.
