According to Clippers owner Steve Balmer via the Los Angeles Times, Blake Griffin will face consequences for bunching a team employee and injuring his hand. It is unclear if that punishment could be getting traded from the team as the Clippers begin to field interest in the forward. Heading into the NBA trade deadline, a number of teams are presenting the Clippers with trade deals, but it appears the team is going to be patient on the matter.
"There needs to be consequences," Griffin said, via the Los Angeles Times. "It's the right thing to do. Just remember, Blake is a key part of this team. We will welcome him back."
While the Clippers are taking their time in terms of trade deals for Griffin, offers are pouring in. According to Mitch Lawrence of Sports News, the Clippers and Denver Nuggets have discussed a trade deal for Griffin. Fans should be wise to take this with a grain of salt. Prior to getting injured, Griffin was averaging 23.2 points and 8.7 rebounds on 50.8 shooting percentage. It is hard to see the Clippers giving that up in the middle of the season when the offers are likely not going to be the best of what Los Angeles could earn for the forward. Right now, the Clippers would be better suited retaining Griffin than trading him if they want to push for the playoffs.
With that being said, the Denver Nuggets have very little talent that would entice the Clippers to trade one of the league's best players. Danilo Gallinari is playing well and his shooting would be a good fit for Los Angeles. Kenneth Faried could replace Griffin in the lineup. All in all, Denver's trade package does not match the worth of Griffin in the long run.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports, the Clippers are leaning towards retaining Griffin for the remainder of the season and then discussing a sign-and-trade for Kevin Durant prior to free agency starting. Durant as an expiring contract to his name as every team in the league lines up to sign him. The Oklahoma City Thunder stand just as good of a chance as anyone to sign Durant, but they also risk losing him for nothing in return. That is where a sign-and-trade could be a favored option for the Thunder.
Like the trade rumors surrounding Griffin, everything with Durant is speculation. No one knows for sure what the former NBA MVP is thinking in regards to his future with Oklahoma City or elsewhere. The Clippers trade sounds like a win-win for both sides, but offers will come be coming by the dozen for both Durant and Griffin when the offseason starts and both sides are expected to remain patient on the matter.
