Clippers reportedly called Nuggets about Blake Griffin trade

It’s hard to believe, but the Los Angeles Clippers have reportedly spoken with the Denver Nuggets about a Blake Griffin trade.

There’s no other way to describe this NBA trade rumor besides “baffling”. According to Mitch Lawrence of Sporting News, the Los Angeles Clippers have called the Denver Nuggets to discuss a potential Blake Griffin trade. Before even considering the fact that the Nuggets don’t have a star of near equal talent to trade for Griffin, the very idea that the Clippers may be considering trading their All-NBA power forward is startling.

Just earlier this season, Griffin was having arguably the best season of his career and was dominating to the tune of 23.2 points, 8.7 rebounds and five assists per game with 50.8 percent shooting. He’s easily one of the top few power forwards and most versatile offensive threats in the NBA, so to think that after missing a spell of play (that is still relatively short in the grand scheme of things) the Clippers are making trade calls is almost hard to believe.

Yes, discussions have emerged online as everyone was quick to overreact to the infamous punching incident of the equipment staff member and say the team are in turmoil and it’s time for Griffin to go. However, until now there hasn’t been an actual report to tie to such murmurs.

Now, though, if Lawrence is correct with what he’s heard, maybe Doc Rivers is thinking of another ridiculous GM move and at least weighing up the option of trading Griffin. Alternatively, it’s far more likely it was the Nuggets who initiated the calls to try to land Blake.

So, before getting out of hand with how premature this is, as the Clippers’ recent hot spell has been spurred on by sudden hot shooting and a rather weak schedule which can’t be ignored, what can the Nuggets even offer in return for Griffin?

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Denver’s two top forwards Kenneth Faried and Danilo Gallinari come to mind. The former is a highly athletic undersized forward with great hustle and rebounding, while the latter is a talented 6’10” combo forward having the best season of his career with 19.5 points per game and 36.5 percent three-point shooting.

However, while they are talented players and the Nuggets have some pieces that would be exciting to see in L.A., there is no way that they justify moving Griffin. Seeing as these are pretty much the best players that the Nuggets have to offer, it’s hard to think that Doc could somehow believe they’re a worthy trade partner for a player as elite as Griffin. There’s no way to know that is actually a trade in question of course, but Denver altogether aren’t a good match with any package they could put together.

And that’s if Griffin should be traded, which he shouldn’t be. To say the Clippers are clearly better without him just because of their recent record is both premature and inaccurate.

Next: Breaking down the Blake Griffin-Kevin Durant trade rumor

If you actually watch the Clippers, it would be hard to think they would really consider trading Blake Griffin already. Trading him to the Nuggets, though, just takes the weirdness and shock of this situation to a new level.