3 Blake Griffin trade scenarios that are perfect for the Clippers
When healthy, Blake Griffin is unquestionably one of the 15 best basketball players in the world, a perennial All-Star with elite albeit lessening athleticism who can handle the ball, pass, shoot (when he has to) and rebound.
But one day after the Los Angeles Clippers said he’d miss the rest of the playoffs with a quad injury, Griffin’s future with the only organization he’s ever played for is murky. With just a year left on his contract before he can opt out and become an unrestricted free agent, a trade feels like the most logical way for L.A. to maximize its short and long-term prosperity.
The only problem: It’s extremely difficult for teams around the league to peg Griffin's true market value, then offer a package deemed acceptable by the Clippers.
Griffin’s iffy health, looming decline and unpredictable contract situation are all reasons why other general managers may stay away. Then again, he’s also a 27-year-old five-time All-Star. Players this good can change an entire franchise’s future for the better, and they rarely go on the market. Here are three teams that may/should have some interest.
Timberwolves trade Andrew Wiggins and Nikola Pekovic for Griffin
First off: This is probably a mistake for Minnesota. For at least one year, the Timberwolves should view almost every young player on their roster as an untradable building block—especially Andrew Wiggins.
But if Tom Thibodeau wants to build a competitive pseudo-contender as quickly as he possibly can, this deal makes sense. Griffin and Karl-Anthony Towns would immediately become the best frontcourt in the league, without question. And, at least on paper, their skill-sets are a perfect fit.
With a dependable outside shot already in his repertoire, Towns can give Griffin the space DeAndre Jordan never could, while still providing necessary back line support on the other end. Both are fantastic passers for their position. Both can rebound.
Back in Los Angeles, Wiggins gets to play on the wing with Chris Paul and Jordan. He fills a vacant lot in their current iteration while also representing a bridge to the future. There’s no youth worth anything on L.A.’s roster. This trade replenishes them with a 21-year-old burgeoning star for the next decade.
Celtics trade Avery Bradley, Amir Johnson, their 2016 first-round pick and a 2018 first-round pick from the Brooklyn Nets for Griffin
The Celtics badly want a star. Everyone knows it. But are they willing to flip Jae Crowder and his delectably valuable contract to get one who faces legitimate question marks on and off the court, and can leave as a free agent the following year? Probably not.
But the Celtics have to give up something, and Avery Bradley (along with their own unprotected 2017 first-round pick and the Brooklyn Nets unprotected 2018 pick, plus Amir Johnson's non-guaranteed contract) is the exact Steph Curry antidote they could use.
The Clippers shouldn’t be overly obsessed with slowing down the Golden State Warriors, but, at the same time, it’d be foolish to ignore how their personnel decisions impact that potential (inevitable?) postseason matchup.
Bradley can spot up behind the three-point line in uber-small units that bump J.J. Redick to small forward (trying to outrun larger defenders will only help the 31-year-old as he ages), and on the other end he can take the defensive burden off Paul, who can but shouldn’t shadow opposing point guards anymore.
Terry Rozier isn’t Avery Bradley, but his existence makes swallowing this trade that much easier for the Celtics. They can start Marcus Smart beside Isaiah Thomas and either dangle this year’s Nets pick as bait for another All-Star-caliber weapon or head into summer pitch meetings with Griffin and Brad Stevens at the table.
In the end, this probably isn’t enough to lure Griffin from the Clippers, but that doesn’t mean Boston should overpay.
Knicks trade Carmelo Anthony for Griffin
The general one-for-one All-Star swap is never not interesting. Here, the Clippers get an ideal offensive small-ball four who’s never really played with a brilliant pass-first point guard like Paul. Anthony can space the floor on Paul/Jordan pick-and-rolls, pop out behind the three-point line on high screens for Paul and still isolate whenever necessary as the walking heat check he is.
Anthony isn’t a defensive stopper, and the Clippers still need more athleticism on the perimeter if they want to ever get past the second round, but this deal allows the team’s Big 3 to all complement each another in ways they currently can’t.
Griffin for Anthony isn't a secret. It's long made sense for both sides—even if Griffin walks after one year—and it’d be awesome to see it happen. Anthony has a no-trade clause in his contract, but the opportunity to team up with his good friend Paul could be enough to waive it.