Why Blake Griffin Should Be Traded

After the news breaking that Blake Griffin punched assistant equipment manager, Matias Testi, an incident that took place at a restaurant in Toronto and left the Clippers franchise forward with a broken right hand and 2 further months on the side-line, there has been a lot of discussion on the future of the Los Angeles Clippers, and Blake Griffin in particular.

The Clippers think the healing process might actually take two months, in which case Griffin would return with only two short weeks before the start of the playoffs.  This however, has absolutely no bearing on whether the Los Angeles Clippers should trade Blake Griffin.

Since Blake’s injury back in December, Chris Paul has played as well as I have seen him play in a long time. With Blake out the team, all of a sudden CP3 has the greenlight and Doc Rivers has pushed him to go-ahead and shoot the basketball!  Not only is CP3 scoring more, but he has been able to move the ball more efficiently.  Rivers has given Griffin’s minutes to extra 3-point shooters in small-ball line-ups.  This has allowed CP3 to run the pick-and-roll with DeAndre Jordan, which is still Lob City, whilst having 3 snipers out on the perimeter.

Over the past two seasons, the Clippers are 22-9 without Blake Griffin, including a 13-3 mark since Griffin tore his quadriceps muscle in December. They have played better on both ends as the numbers show:

The main reason Blake Griffin should be traded? It has nothing to do with this incident. It has nothing to do with Chris Paul…

It has everything to do with DeAndre Jordan!

DeAndre Jordan has improved his game immensely over the past 2 seasons. He is a highlight reel waiting to happen. He is more than capable of grabbing 12-15 rebounds a night whilst blocking 2.5 shots per game.  DeAndre’s numbers are significantly increased when Blake isn’t on the floor.

DeAndre Jordan’s problem, aside from his flat-out pathetic free throw shooting (which is a HUGE problem), is that he is extremely limited on offense. He’s a good finisher from CP3’s pick-and-roll lobs but that’s about it. He can’t hit anything beyond 5ft!

Why this effects Blake is because DeAndre is so limited on offense, he clogs up the middle and rightly so. Therefore Blake is forced to operate, whether it is backing you down off-the-dribble from the wing or stepping out and hitting long 2pt jump shots.  Although Blake has hugely improved his 15-18ft jump shot, this isn’t his game and he is far from a consistent 3pt shooter.

Another reason I believe Blake Griffin should be traded…  These LA Clippers aren’t beating the San Antonio Spurs or the Golden State Warriors.  The championship window for the Clippers is now, if you want to be a good team, don’t trade Blake! If you’re trying to win a Championship, make the trade.

 

There is one thing we cannot ignore… Blake Griffin is a superstar! 

He is averaging 24pts, 9rebs and 5asts whilst shooting 50% from the field.  In the postseason last year, he averaged 24pts and 12rebs. There is no doubting Blake’s ability. There is an argument to be made that he is the best player on the Clippers roster.

If the Clippers are going to trade him, they should look to get a first tier superstar or at the very least, a second tier superstar along with another valuable piece to improve their roster.

Taking all of this into consideration, here are some potential options for the Clippers to consider if they were to trade their All-Star power forward.

 

Potential trades

New York Knicks receive: Blake Griffin, Lance Stephenson

Los Angeles Clippers: Carmelo Anthony, Arron Afflalo

This is a trade that has been rumoured for years. I love this trade for both teams.

Carmelo Anthony is one of the deadliest scorers in the league. This would give the Clippers a perfect scenario to play small ball with Carmelo Anthony at the PF. Carmelo looked at his best in New York when playing with big man Tyson Chandler. Chris Paul would love to play with one of his friends in Anthony.

Blake Griffin would fit nicely next to Kristaps Porzingis, a big man who can protect the rim and space the floor, providing a perfect compliment. I don’t like the idea of Porzingis playing the 4 for the rest of his career; I don’t think he can chase round these new 6’6, 6’7 hybrid stretch fours all game. He needs an NBA body, but I’ll give him a pass because he’s a rookie. He’ll be fine!

Griffin also would fit nicely in the triangle. Because Anthony is older, the Clippers could ask for Afflalo, who has his faults but this would give them a more reliable wing than they have already, and the Knicks could take back Stephenson (#FreeLance) as payment for getting Griffin.

 

Miami Heat receive:  Blake Griffin

Los Angeles Clippers receive: Chris Bosh, Justice Winslow

This gives the Clippers what they need – spacing.

Chris Bosh has proved over the past few years he is a reliable 3pt shooter. He wouldn’t get in the way of DeAndre Jordan as he mostly operates outside the paint, he can play the 5 if teams are going to hack-a-Jordan (intentionally foul him to shoot FT’s) and Justice Winslow gives you a young wing  defender with a lot of promise.

The idea of Blake Griffin in South Beach seems a very exciting and realistic prospect. The Heat would be adding a legit superstar to go with Dwyane Wade, Hassan Whiteside, Goran Dragic etc. that would boost their chances of a deep play-off run in the Eastern conference.

 

Boston Celtics receive: Blake Griffin, Paul Pierce

Los Angeles Clippers receive: Avery Bradley, Jae Crowder, David Lee, 1^st Round pick (via Brooklyn)

Having Paul Pierce back in Boston to see out the remaining year(s) of his career would be great!!

But as a Celtics fan, that’s all I like about this trade. I really do NOT want to give up that Brooklyn pick. If there is any chance that it turns into #1, which is likely and we miss out on getting our hands on Ben Simmons (see Matty Lindley’s upcoming post on Draft prospects), I would be disappointed. However, Danny Ainge has been accumulating assets to make this sort of trade. With all the picks and assets Boston have, they need to go and get a franchise player; Blake Griffin could be the answer!

With Bradley and Crowder, the Clippers would get a pair of guys who can defend and shoot 3-pointers, and would fit nicely in the starting lineup alongside Paul, Jordan and J.J. Redick.  David Lee could be a good role player for these Clippers, coming off the bench.

Meanwhile Brooklyn’s pick this summer, which will likely wind up in the top five, would give them either another trade chip or a bridge to the next era for the franchise.

Cleveland Cavaliers receive: Blake Griffin

Los Angeles Clippers receive: Kevin Love

Who remembers when there was a discussion over who the better Power Forward was between Love and Griffin? Yeah, I think we all know the answer to that. Although Kevin Love’s performances have improved this year, he is not Blake Griffin!

However, Kevin Love on the Clippers could be interesting. The floor-spacing would be much better, with Kevin Love being the knock-down 3pt shooter that he is. This helps out CP3 to facilitate, make plays and gives him the greenlight to score the basketball, as mentioned previously.

Griffin’s athleticism would be a better fit for Cleveland, with the high-tempo, pushing the ball up the floor style of basketball, the way new coach Tyronn Lue wants them to play. Imagine a small ball Cavaliers line-up with LeBron James and Blake Griffin vs the Golden State Warriors in the NBA finals…

Indiana Pacers receive: Blake Griffin, Lance Stephenson

Los Angeles Clippers: Paul George

This would be perfect for the Clippers. Whether Indiana does this trade, I’m not so sure about. But hey, it’s worth a shot!

Paul George would be the ideal player to add to this Clippers roster, one of the premier wing players who has turned into a 3pt gunner this year as well as one of the better defenders in the NBA. If the Clippers have any chance in getting Paul George for Blake, they should pull the trigger.

The Pacers see Paul George as their franchise player and rightly so. But would they be tempted with Blake Griffin as well as Lance Stephenson returning to Indiana? Lance Stephenson played at an all-star level in his final year in Indiana.  If Lance could return to his Indiana form, this could be a very good trade for the Pacers!

- Charlie Wilson (@CharlieWilson21)