It was a summer of rumors in Los Angeles (and not just about Kendall Jenner and Jordan Clarkson). The basketball rumors focused on the other team in Los Angeles: The Clippers are stagnant, they have some locker room chemistry issues, so the buzz suggested Doc Rivers would be willing to trade Blake Griffin. There were rumors about the Celtics, and the fanciful idea of Kevin Durant sign-and-trade that would send Griffin back to his home state of Oklahoma.
Doc Rivers said it was all organic fertilizer.
Here is Rivers’ quote while in Boston, via Chris Forsberg of ESPN.
Because of free agency, those rumors are not going to die — despite the reports that Griffin wants to re-sign with the Clippers because he likes living in Los Angeles. And despite the fact that Griffin’s quad injury from last season has some teams asking if that will linger. Frankly, Rivers and the Clippers need to be more focused on keeping Chris Paul happy, he is the ultra-competitive guy, and if the Clippers have another second-round exit could take a longer look at the team and his options.
The Clippers should be one of the best teams in the NBA — barring injury they will be fourth in PBT’s preseason power rankings. The Clippers should win north of 50 games again and be in the mix to make the conference Finals (although Golden State and San Antonio seems the more likely matchup). The window is open for the Clippers and Rivers isn’t going to trade Griffin unless he gets a player or players back that make it more likely the team wins right now. Sorry Boston fans, a package of picks and young players is not going to cut it.
Whether they are logical or not, don’t expect Griffin trade rumors to die.