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Breaking down the rumored Blake Griffin-Kevin Durant swap

By Jeff Nisius

Dec 2, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) look over to guard Russell Westbrook (0) during the second half of a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Thunder 112-104. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 2, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) look over to guard Russell Westbrook (0) during the second half of a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Thunder 112-104. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 11, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32), guard Chris Paul (3) and guard Jamal Crawford (11) react as Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) watches in game four of the second round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
May 11, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32), guard Chris Paul (3) and guard Jamal Crawford (11) react as Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) watches in game four of the second round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

How it works financially

There are two scenarios at play, both in which Durant holds all the power.

First, he can decide his time in Oklahoma City is over this summer.

Durant’s contract expires as of July 1 and he can make it known he will not be returning to the Thunder. Since the Clippers do not have anywhere near enough cap space to sign him outright, their best option would be via sign-and-trade.

Certainly, Rivers could try to build a package around someone other than Griffin, but if they really want Durant the price will be Griffin. According to Jonathan Givony of Draft Express, the salary cap is expected to be set around the $89 million range.

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Should that happen, Durant would be eligible for a contract starting at $24.92 million. Let’s also keep in mind that an $89 million cap figure is relatively modest. That number could easily exceed $92 million, making Durant’s first year salary even higher. Either way, I am going to use a round figure of a $25 million starting salary.

Next, the Clippers would add Griffin’s 2016-17 salary of $20.14 million. CBA rules stipulate that trade must be within 125% plus $100,000 in order to be legal. Basically, if the cap is set under $90 million the two teams can execute a one-for-one deal.

However, if the cap is set at $90 million or more, the Clippers would need to aggregate more salary in order to make the deal legal. In that case, someone like C.J. Wilcox would likely be added to complete the deal.

The second scenario seems more plausible, but also requires consent from Griffin to be traded back home to Oklahoma City (which could hold up the deal).

Next: What's in it for Durant?

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